Improving access to health care facilities through decentralisation in Ghana

Abstract

The study assessed the impact of decentralization on physical accessibility to healthcare facilities in ghana. It was conducted in the Asante Akim North Municapility,New Juaben Municipality and Twifu-Heman-Lower Denkyira district. The study was conceptualised within the geographical accessibility framework and the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technique was used to create health buffers. It was found that health care facilities were expanded and physical accessibility improved, partly as a result of the implementation of the decentralisation programme. However, the study showed that the inequalities between and within Municipalities and Districts were not addressed. A meaningful intervention by the Municipal/District Assemblies (MDAs) and the Ghana Health Service • (GHS) on inequalities requires mapping of existing health facilities. Application ofcoverage models using GIS is therefore recommended to the MDAs in collaboration with the GHS in order to reduce inequalities in physical accessibility to health care facilities.