150146 Decentralization and Health Sector Refom in Ghana:A Former Health Minister's Experiences

Tuesday, November 6, 2007: 2:30 PM

Kwaku B. Danso, DR , Master of PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM, MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, Atlanta, GA
           
PURPOSE: The purpose of this presentation is to analyze and share with Public Health practitioners the experiences of a former Health MINISTER of the Republic of Ghana in reforming the Health Sector. SOURCES OF DATA: Primary data in the form of government documents relating to the decentralization policy of 1989 and the Ghana Health Service and Teaching Hospitals Act, 1996, Act 525, together with interviews with selected officials of the Ghana Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service Council,the Ghana Health Service, the Ghana School of Public Health, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, stakeholders, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs,and consultants from the London School of Economics. Secondary data on the subject matter are also used. Methodology: Descriptive analysis of primary and secondary data supplemented by participant observation. MAJOR RESULTS: Political, social, and economic considerations impeded the refoms thereby rendering the expected policy outcomes unattainable.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Describe the social, political and economic underpinnings of decentralization and health sector policy reforms in Ghana. (2) Analyze the decentralization and health sector policy reform strategy. (3) Analyze the socio-political fafctors that impeded the full implementation of the decentralization and health sector policy reforms.

Keywords: Health Care Reform, Health Reform

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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