MAKING HEALTHCARE AGENCIES EFFECTIVE PLAYERS IN THE GHANA HEALTH SERVICE

Making healthcare agencies effective players in the Ghana Health Service

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of effective healthcare agencies in the Ghana Health Service in a holistic context. The study will be designed to investigate the benefits healthcare agencies can bring to the GHS in terms of staffing, when formal strategic planning processes are in place. A comparison will be made with the NHS in the UK where healthcare agency staff has been used over the years to supplement the work force.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

ABSTRACTIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Outline1

Rationale1

Background2

Aims and Objectives4

Scope of the study4

Purpose of this study5

Research Questions5

Hypothesis or Hypotheses5

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Early Development of Health Care Systems in Ghana8

Traditional health systems14

Supply and demand of nurses in Ghana15

Aging workforce and population16

Casual and temporary employment in the healthcare industry16

Health Care Agencies17

Benefits of Temporary nursing workforce19

Health Sector20

Health Financing in Ghana22

National Health Insurance (NHIS) in Ghana23

The Human Resources for Healthcare Management and Development24

Strengthening health systems24

Temporary nursing in Ghana25

Factors affecting the distribution of resources, decisions and Equality in Ghana Health26

Funding allocation in the Ghanaian health sector27

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY31

Research Site32

Key Informant Participants32

Instruments of Research32

Data Collection Procedure33

Data Analysis33

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION34

Donor funding and resource allocation decisions at the federal level35

Political and administrative obligations to ensure equality37

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION41

Recommendation41

REFERENCES44

APPENDIX59

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Outline

This research focuses on the various aspects of effective healthcare agencies in Ghana Health Services and comprises of the following chapters:

Introduction

Literature Review

Methodology

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

Rationale

This study highlights many issues related to healthcare agencies in Ghana gives a broad analysis of the distribution of human resources in the GHS(Gwatkin 2004:363 ). The Ghana Health Service is the largest MOH agency with about half of all health services and approximately two-thirds of health personnel in the formal sector(Hongoro 2004:1451). It is accountable for ensuring the maintenance of high level of performance in the provision of precautionary, promotive and clinical care services at the sub-district, district and regional levels. It is also accountable for the management of institutions at these levels(James 2005: 33).

Institutional Care Division (ICD) of the GHS is directly responsible for the development, support, monitoring and analysis of comprehensive clinical care services. One of its main responsibilities is the development and implementation of quality assurance (QA), clinical management and infection prevention and control system in accordance with national and international practice. Quality Assurance Management (QAD) was established in the IBC to provide guidance for quality assurance programs(McCoy &Bannett 2008:675). Later in this section provides information and support to prepare a strategic plan and outlines the methodology used in its preparation.

Background

At the time of independence in 1957, Ghana was economically prosperous country with large reserves of gold and the high price of cocoa from Ghana, which has been a leading manufacturer(Patton 2002:52). Ambitious development program, unfair trade practices of the world and a series of devastating upheaval led to a ...