Abstract
BackgroundThe importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health. Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) have negatively impacted society, affect quality of life and make the poor societies poorer. Several policies and strategies have been put in place across the world including the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Though chalked many successes, the programme continues to lag behind in the full attainment of various objectives. Several factors exist that determine how effective a programme is implemented. Identification of these factors on every programme is essential to determine where more programme resources need to be channelled. This study assessed the determinants of successful implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana.MethodsA qualitative approach with the case study design was employed. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to identify key programme officers at the national, regional and district levels of programme implementation. Eighteen (18) Key informant interviews were conducted at all the three levels of the Ghana Health Service NTDs programme. Data were thematically analysed and presented.ResultsFindings from the study revealed that determinants that influenced the successful implementation of the NTDs programme include donor support, education and training, partnerships, reliability of the health structure, integrative nature of the programme and management commitment. These determining factors cut across the inner settings of the implementing agency and the external environment.ConclusionNeglected tropical diseases continuously affect Ghanaians, especially the poor. It is important for both policy makers and implementers to identify the factors that ensure the success of the programme in the Ghanaian context. Though the factors are independently sufficient, they synergistically lead to improved programme implementation. Empowering all units involved (local to national level) and maximizing the enabling factors identified to would improve upon implementation and ensure sustainability.
Highlights
The importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health
Health policy and programme implementation is widely viewed as the process by which governments and other stakeholders put strategies embedded in policies in place to effect changes in the health system [2, 3]
This study focused on a descriptive case study in order to describe the implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme within a particular context in order to create an understanding of the various determinants of implementation success
Summary
The importance of health policy implementation cannot be overemphasized in contemporary public health. This study assessed the determinants of successful implementation of the neglected tropical diseases programme in Ghana. Health policy and programme implementation is widely viewed as the process by which governments and other stakeholders put strategies embedded in policies in place to effect changes in the health system [2, 3]. Despite the efforts of health ministries, agencies and bodies to ensure smooth and effective implementation process, reports indicate that majority of plans are not executed as outlined in various documents and do not entirely meet set objectives. This may be due to known and unknown factors that are not sufficiently controlled. Developed countries and economies tend to have higher success rates in terms of implementation as compared to developing countries [5, 6]
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