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ID: 127503 • Letter: C
Question
Comment the following post. Substantive comments should be scholarly, probing, extend the conversation by beginning a dialogue, and continue exploring the concepts
Health Systems Ghana
Ghana is considered to be a developing country, changes are occurring slowly, however, Ghana still possess some diseases that are found in third world countries, as well as a health care system that may not be as strong as it is advertised.
Ghana has what is called the, Ghana Health Service (GHS), this was developed in 1996 and is in charge of the country’s complete health care system. Branched under GHS is what is called the National Health Insurance Scheme. This is a public insurance program created to aid Ghanaians in the cost and availability of medical treatment. If one was to explore the site, www.nhis.gov.gh, you would see a marketing scheme showing ease of access to health care, an abundance of aid and possibilities. However, OurAfrica.org states that only 0.5 of all Ghanaians are covered by this public insurance, leaving many to rely on approximately 45,000 traditional healers that provide care throughout villages. For the other half of Ghanaians who are covered they are on average greater than 15km from a providing doctor.
The National Health Insurance Scheme provides free coverage for children (under the age of 18), elderly (over the age of 70), pregnant women, mentally/physically challenged individuals, and those who are deemed poor by the government. Although this provides hope for many, it is said by Kent Mensah on alijazeera.com that a wait to be seen to even apply for this service can be upwards of an 8-12 hour wait. The service does not have a mail in or online application feature, the person who is wanting to access health care has to go to a nearby office and apply in person, every calendar year. Those who do have the service complain that medications provided by the government are “low grade” compared to those if one was to pay cash.
Insurance does not pose the only difficulty in the realm of health care, but the ratio of patient to doctor is extremely high, approximately 1:600. According to Mensah a single doctor, Dr. Linda Van Otoo, provided care to over 15,260 patients in a single year. Mensah also states that a PA sees on average 38,000 patients/year and a midwife/nurse caters to approximately 6,000 women/year, not including yearly checkups.
Explanation / Answer
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN GHANA
Introduction:
Ghana is a nation on West Africa - Gulf of Guinea was an ex-colony of British rule. The former Gold Coast, named for its rich deposits of the precious metal, became the Republic of Ghana in 1957 when it gained independence from British colonial rule. The discovery of gold made Ghana one of the first places in sub-Saharan Africa to attract European traders; it was also the first nation in the region to break colonial rule.
The country is known for diverse wildlife, old forts, secluded beaches, colonial buildings and castles-turned-museum testimonials to the slave trade. Kumasi is a major metropolitan area known as the “Garden City of West Africa” which is also the birthplace of Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Development of Ghana:
To give a brief idea about the economy and development of Ghana -
Agriculture accounts for a large portion of gross domestic product and employment. But a quarter of Ghanaians live below the poverty line. The country received a three-year, $918 million bailout from the International Monetary Fund in 2015 aimed to improve fiscal responsibility and macroeconomic growth in the quickly expanding economy
Ghana spends 6 percent of its gross domestic product on education, which is considered one among the highest in the world. Ghana is losing its top talent to Europe and North America, shifting migration trends in the opposite direction. About half of Ghana’s population lives rurally, spread across vast plains, rainforests .Ghana is quite a thriving country.
Discussion:
Health care system in Ghana –
Being one of the oldest countries with rich forest and culture the basic medical treatment were and still traditional - village healers and clerics were the primary care givers, offering herbal remedies. Western medicine was introduced by Christian missionaries to the Gold Coast in the 19th century. This region was most involved in the development of a new health care system. After World War II, both the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund had been active in providing fund and support to provide western medical care in Ghana.
As we can see the wide geography of Ghana with lustrous forest area still the people living in rural areas are not privileged with western medicines. As the debate can be on two sides –first, why the government has not reached its western medical care to rural areas? Secondly, Is the people living in deep forest with old traditions and healing methods are still reluctant to believe to seek western medicine . Though the debate stands, the Government of Ghana has taken enormous amount of steps to provide medical care to its people. The most of the health care is provided by the government- MINISTRY OF HEALTH # GHANAL HEALTH SERVICE .
The healthcare system has five levels of providers:
· first level primary care for rural areas
· health centers and clinics
· district hospitals
· regional hospitals and
· Tertiary hospitals.
There are few clinics and hospital run privately and by Christian health association of Ghana ,which is 2% of health service providers in Ghana .Report shows Ghana spends 6% of its GDP on health care , which is very much a significant amount with its thriving economy .
In 1992, when the democrats returned to rule Ghana, the country saw major developments in health sector . The former president John Kufuor in the year 2000 elections, promised to abolish the “cash and carry system” of health delivery. As the patients are supposed to pay at every level of payment for health care service, medical treatment was given or initiated only after the payment .This lead to the idea of National Health Insurance Scheme- with a goal to provide equitable access and financial coverage for basic health care services to Ghanaian
The scheme works with different types of premiums under NHIS. Ghanaian contribution to NHIS depends upon their levels of income. The contribution has to be affordable and to ensure nobody is forced to pay for their health care .the contribution may vary from the one district to another to its economy growth. To ensure all Ghanaians are contributing to NHIS, 2.5% of health insurance levy on selected goods and services are collected towards National Insurance Fund.
This system has opened to the following opportunities-
1)opportunity to equal health care to all Ghanaians
2)initial step to abolish force –“cash on carry “ health care system
3) substantial health care to all Ghanaians
4) window to improve health care delivery system .
The reports shows a significant change in mortality rate -66%in 2015 .This health care scheme is considered to be healthcare system on the Africa continent by the renowned successful person Bill Gates.
According to WHO – the most common disease condition in western Africa are – cholera, typhoid, pulmonary tuberculosis, anthrax, pertussis, tetanus, chicken pox, yellow fever, measles, infectious hepatitis, trachoma, malaria, HIV and schistosomiasis.
As we can see the list of disease condition are either due to – PREVENTABLE DISEASES - infectious disease or poor hygienic condition. Through proper health education Ghanaian Government would definitely make a breakthrough in the HEALTH CONDITION IN Ghana .
Conclusion :
As we understand Africa to be a vast continent with rich forest and bio diversity , one of the oldest civilization still untouched in many places . Though THE GOLD COAST # GHANA was identifies its significance in 1800’s , it has its own struggles and significant marks in the history to be the first region to break free from its colonial power . Like wise its continuous struggle in betterment of Ghana on slavery – is revolutionary mark in the world history.Ghana's struggle and success are well known and the World is yet to witness in its health care system ....
Though with initial report of the failure of the national health insurance scheme will not stop NHIS from achieving its goal to provide equitable access and financial coverage for basic health care services to Ghanaian citizens.
Every system has its own flaws with its hiccups in the initial roller coaster but any scheme with the good motive and continuous monitoring and reformation would lead to the success of good health care delivery system to all Ghanaians .
(hope the discussion helps :) cheers )