The Ghana Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Fiona Braka has commended Ghana for launching the Free Primary Health Care policy, saying it has opened the gateway to universal health coverage.

Under the policy, basic illnesses such as malaria and cholera will be treated free of charge at primary-level health facilities.

Meanwhile, Dr Braka said the WHO was targeting polio for eradication.

She was speaking at the 2nd ONLEP Fireside Leadership Chat of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho on Friday (May 1).

The function which was organised in collaboration with International Society of Nurses – Cancer Care, City Cancer Challenge, and global biotechnology company, AMGEN was on the theme: Leadership Across Borders.

ONLEP (Oncology Nurses Leadership Programme) is aimed at developing leadership skills of oncology nurses in Africa.

The programme was attended by about 60 selected oncology nurses from 17 African countries, including Ghana.

Shedding light on the theme, Dr Braka said performing leading roles across borders was not just about crossing geography; it was about expanding perspective.

On female leadership, Dr Braka said although there was progress, it was still far from equality with regard to women in leadership positions.

“Both men and women need to champion equality,” she said.

Dr Braka urged the participants to build their capacity and maximize their strength to lead, build diverse teams to harness the skills required for their teams.

“Leadership is nurtured; we are not born leaders, seek opportunities to learn, build and experience,” she said.

The WHO country representative pointed out leadership across borders expected them to embrace differences in a diverse world.

That meant oncology nurses performing leadership roles across borders must be culturally sensitive and understand religion and the role it played among the people they served, she added. 

The Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Professor Lydia Aziato, who chaired the function, said ONLEP stemmed from the recognition of the critical roles that nurses played in oncological care and the need for strong leadership within that specialised field.

To maintain current progress in cancer care, she said, there was a need for nurses, including oncology nurses to take on leadership roles.