Skip to Content

Ghana

In August 2003, the Government of Ghana passed the National Health Insurance Act, mandating the creation of district-level mutual health organizations (MHOs). Implementation of the resulting national health insurance scheme (NHIS) began in 2004. That same year, the PHRplus project (the predecessor to Health Systems 20/20) in cooperation with the Health Research Unit (HRU) of the Ghana Health Service, conducted a study on health services utilization and household expenditures for health care to serve as a baseline for a future evaluation of the NHIS. Health Systems 20/20 and the HRU are now planning for a follow-on household survey to compare to the baseline study.

The household survey will be conducted in two districts where the baseline was conducted (Nkoranza and Offinso), and a patient exit survey will be conducted in an additional four districts (Kwahu South, Savelugu, Ahanta West, Ajumako). The study will assess the impact of the NHIS on social inclusion, utilization of health services, and household income protection, using the baseline data as a comparison. Other planned activities include interviews with district scheme managers and focus group discussions with health care providers, to gain insights into NHIS implementation and its impact on service provision at the district level. Health Systems 20/20 expects to work with the HRU to create an advisory group, comprised of government health officials and health providers, to guide the evaluation process and increase local ownership of the study.

Financial Protection Effect of Health Insurance Evidence from Ghana National Health Insurance Scheme

Ha Nguyen, Yogesh Rajkotia, and Hong Wang
Nov 2010 | Presentation 
Ghana 

Strengthening Health Systems by Engaging the Private Health Sector: Promising HIV/AIDS Partnerships

Aneesa Arur, Sara Sulzbach, Jeff Barnes, Barbara O’Hanlon, and Danielle Altman
Nov 2010 | Health Systems 20/20  | Brief 
Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia 

Rwanda Health Insurance Workshop Guide to Materials

Jun 2010 | Presentation, Publications List, Report 
Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda 

Health Insurance and Priority Services: How Do We Make It Work

Kimberly Switlick-Prose
Jun 2010 | Health Systems 20/20  | Brief 
Bolivia, Colombia, Ghana 

View All

Working with Nigerian Policymakers to Share Lessons on National Health Insurance

Jul 14 2011
Health economist Dr. Hong Wang did not come to the “Expanding Coverage to the Informal Sector” workshop to share a chapter from his book—he came to empower others. National policymakers from 13 developing countries took center stage at the four-day workshop hosted by the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage (JLN), sharing accomplishments and challenges to providing health coverage to poor and informal sector populations. More...

Francophone Health Insurance Workshop - Extending Health Insurance, How To Make It Work

Jun 4 2010
Many countries subscribe to the Millennium Development Goals, and are committed to ensuring access to essential, quality health services for their citizens. Risk sharing is one mechanism for removing financial barriers. Extending health insurance has been considered and promoted as the major financing mechanism to improve access to health services, as well to provide financial risk protection. More...

Health Insurance Workshop, October 2009, Ghana

Jul 8 2009

Many African countries are interested in health insurance and are experimenting with different forms of risk pooling. Health Systems 20/20, in coordination with the World Bank and WHO, is organizing a hands-on workshop to help countries chart an informed and responsible path towards a form of health insurance that fits their needs and resources.

More...

Health Systems 20/20 at 136th Annual APHA Meeting

Nov 7 2008

Thousands of leading experts, researchers, and practitioners came together at the American Public Health Association's 136th Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 26-29, 2008, in San Diego, California, to share their research, learn from each other, and explore new strategies for addressing a wide range of critical public health issues.

More...

Article on Impact of Mutual Health Organizations in West Africa Published in Health Policy and Planning

May 23 2008
Mutual health organizations (MHOs) are voluntary membership organizations providing health insurance services to their members. MHOs aim to increase access to health care by reducing out-of-pocket payments faced by households. Health Systems 20/20 and Abt staff members Slavea Chankova, Sara Sulzbach, and François Diop co-authored an article entitled "Impact of Mutual Health Organizations: Evidence from West Africa" recently published in Health Policy and Planning. More...

View All