The Coalition of NGOs in Health is warning Ghana’s Health sector is likely to suffer a setback as one of its major donors DANIDA withdraws its support.

The Danish Government has decided to end its collaboration and investments in the country’s health sector after 22 years of pumping in millions of dollars.

By the end of 2020, support for other sectors like education will also be phased out.

The Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Tove Degnbol, at a meeting in Accra, said the withdrawal of DANIDA 's support to Ghana comes on the heels of Ghana's attainment of middle-income status.

According to her, the decision is also to allow other poorer countries in Africa to benefit from the Danish Government.

This decision is, however, comes at a time when the Health Ministry has seen a drastic cut in its 2016 budget.

Executive Director of the Coalition of NGOs in Health, Gabriel Benarku, in an interview with Joy News said the provision of drugs for immunization and logistics for medical facilities will be the worst affected.

“If they pull out, it will stress the health sector. We will not be able to pay those working in the health sector and we will not be able to train more," Bernaku said.

He added, “We will not be able to maintain the current services we are providing. DANIDA has always contributed a sizeable amount to the issues of immunization, TB, HIV and issues relating to strengthening our leadership”.

He said the issue is a serious one and government now needs to start planning with civil society and other groups on how to create a fund to cater for the sector.

Joy News has learnt that government is already looking to impose new taxes as a measure to bridge the funding gap.

Health Minister Alex Segbefia, in an interview, said there’s the need to educate the populace on the current development.

He added that while at it, it was also necessary to begin to plan the budget and economy to realise that the country’s responsibilities are greater.

“We must also learn to deal with wastage and deal with issues that lead to wastage so that the little that we are generating can be used to maintain and develop what we already have to take us to a better place,” he said.

Segbefia indicated that the DANIDA support has been extremely useful over the years and although the move will be challenging, “Ghana is on a good footing, these challenges are necessary and we are dealing with it.”

According to Dr. Twum Nuamah, a member of Parliament’s Health Committee, says the Committee will invite the minister to explain measures being put in place to cushion the sector from being badly hit by the DANIDA exit.