Health Sector Decentralisation and Delivery of Responsive Healthcare in Ghana

Baba Salifu, Prince Osei Wusu Adjei, Daniel Buor

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the implications of Ghana’s health sector decentralisation for the delivery of responsive healthcare in some selected districts in the country. This is especially important because decentralisation in the health sector is particularly complex and does not necessarily result in efficiency and improvements (Couttolenc, Decentralisation and governance in the Ghana health sector. World Bank, 2012). Besides, there is no clarity regarding the relationship between decentralisation and improvements in overall health system’s performance. This chapter examines the operations and activities of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) within the context of decentralised healthcare provision. Specifically, we assess the level of autonomy granted to subnational health institutions and how that influences healthcare delivery. We also examine capacity of subnational health units to deliver efficient and responsive services to those who access healthcare. Ultimately, we highlight some challenges associated with decentralised healthcare in Ghana and progress made in the last few decades.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in African Economic, Social and Political Development
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages209-227
Number of pages19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in African Economic, Social and Political Development
ISSN (Print)2198-7262
ISSN (Electronic)2198-7270

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