Abstract
Introduction The Government of Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 to replace out-of-pocket (OOP) payment for health services with the inherent aim of reducing the direct cost of treating illness to households. Objective To assess the effects of the NHIS in reducing cost of treating malaria to households in the Kassena-Nankana districts of northern Ghana. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey between October 2009 and October 2011 in the Kassena-Nankana districts. A sample of 4,226 households was randomly drawn from the Navrongo Health and Demographic Surveillance System household database and administered a structured interview. The costs of malaria treatment were collected from the patient perspective. Results Of the 4,226 households visited, a total of 1,324 (31%) household members reported fever and 51% (675) reported treatment for malaria and provided information on where they sought care. Most respondents sought malaria treatment from formal health facilities 63% (424), with the remainder either self-medicating with drugs from chemical shops 32% (217) or with leftover drugs or herbs 5% (34). Most of those who sought care from formal health facilities were insured 79% (334). The average direct medical cost of treating malaria was GH¢3.2 (US$2.1) per case with the insured spending less (GH¢2.6/US$1.7) per case than the uninsured (GH¢3.2/US$2.1). The overall average cost (direct and indirect) incurred by households per malaria treatment was GH¢20.9 (US$13.9). Though the insured accounted for a larger proportion of admissions at health facilities 76% (31) than the uninsured 24% (10), the average amount households spent on the insured was less (GH¢4/US$2.7) than their uninsured counterparts (GH¢6.4/US$4.3). The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.2330). Conclusion Even though some insured individuals made OOP payments for direct medical care, there is evidence that the NHIS has a protective effect on cost (outpatient and in-patient) of malaria treatment.
Highlights
The Government of Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 to replace out-of-pocket (OOP) payment for health services with the inherent aim of reducing the direct cost of treating illness to households
The insurance status was determined for a total of 892 (67%) respondents, of which 438 (49.1%) were insured and 454 (50.9%) were not insured
This study revealed that most malaria patients do not self-treat but rather seek care from formal health facilities such as government and private health facilities
Summary
The Government of Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 to replace out-of-pocket (OOP) payment for health services with the inherent aim of reducing the direct cost of treating illness to households. Objective: To assess the effects of the NHIS in reducing cost of treating malaria to households in the KassenaNankana districts of northern Ghana. Most respondents sought malaria treatment from formal health facilities 63% [424], with the remainder either self-medicating with drugs from chemical shops 32% [217] or with leftover drugs or herbs 5% [34]. Most of those who sought care from formal health facilities were insured 79% [334]. Conclusion: Even though some insured individuals made OOP payments for direct medical care, there is evidence that the NHIS has a protective effect on cost (outpatient and in-patient) of malaria treatment
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.