NDLI: The implementation of the free maternal health policy in rural Northern Ghana: synthesised results and lessons learnt

Content Provider	Springer Nature : BioMed Central
Author	Dalinjong, Philip Ayizem Wang, Alex Y. Homer, Caroline S. E.
Abstract	Objective A free maternal health policy was implemented under Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme to promote the use of maternal health services. Under the policy, women are entitled to free services throughout pregnancy and at childbirth. A mixed methods study involving women, providers and insurance managers was carried out in the Kassena-Nankana municipality of Ghana. It explored the affordability, availability, acceptability and quality of services. In this manuscript, we present synthesised results categorised as facilitators and barriers to access as well as lessons learnt (implications). Results Reasonable waiting times, cleanliness of facilities as well as good interpersonal relationships with providers were the facilitators to access. Barriers included out of pocket payments, lack of, or inadequate supply of drugs and commodities, equipment, water, electricity and emergency transport. Four lessons (implications) were identified. Firstly, out of pocket payments persisted. Secondly, the health system was not strengthened before implementing the free maternal health policy. Thirdly, lower level facilities were poorly resourced. Finally, the lack of essential inputs and infrastructure affected quality of care and therefore, access to care. It is suggested that the Government of Ghana, the Health Insurance Scheme and other stakeholders improve the provision of resources to facilities.
Related Links	https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s13104-018-3452-0.pdf
Ending Page	6
Page Count	6
Starting Page	1
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	17560500
DOI	10.1186/s13104-018-3452-0
Journal	BMC Research Notes
Issue Number	1
Volume Number	11
Language	English
Publisher	BioMed Central
Publisher Date	2018-05-29
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Biomedicine Medicine Public Health Life Sciences National Health Insurance Free maternal health policy Fee exemption Maternal health services Pregnancy Childbirth Lessons Ghana Medicine/Public Health
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Medicine
Journal Impact Factor	1.6/2023

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1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
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