Exploring Alternative Sources of Health Care Financing in Ghana: A Case Study in the Asante Akim North District
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Date
June, 2019
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Abstract
The study sought to establish the significant alternative sources of health care financing
in the Asante Akim North District. A case study research design was employed to gather
data from primary and secondary sources. The principal objective was to explore
alternative means of generating funds to finance healthcare in the Asante Akim North
District. The Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaire and interview
guide from fifteen respondents. Non-probability method of sampling with combination
of quota and purposive techniques was used to select the respondents for the study.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis was used to establish the finding of the study.
Firstly, it was established that the current state of health care financing apart from the
funds from the MOH mainly includes internally generated funds and donations from
benevolent societies and individuals. Secondly, revenue generated was generally
inadequate for most of the years understudy. Thirdly, the challenges the health care
financing included unavailability of funds to purchase equipment, delayed
reimbursement from the NHIA and high dependency on the NHIS. Lastly, majority of
the participants acknowledged that exploring alternative sources of health care
financing to include practice of cash and carry, operation of psychotherapy center,
extension of accommodation, recreational and health facilities, provision of means of
transport to patients and clients, support from NGOs and extension of pharmaceutical
and laboratory facilities. It is recommended that, the MOH for that matter should
encourage the private sector and other Non-Governmental Organizations to take keen
interest in funding both mission and public healthcare institutions to reduce the burden
on them. Also, policies governing the NHIS concerning reimbursement should be
enforced by the government and ensured by NHIS.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Gradute Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master in Public Health Services Planning and Management.
Keywords
Health, Finance, Health Care, Ghana, Asante Akim North District