Private Sector Contribution to Health Delivery: Examining the role of NGOs in Health delivery in Ghana

Abstract

The paper examines the role of NGOs in health delivery in Ghana vis-a- vis the government’s policy framework on private sector participation in health delivery. The study adopted an exploratory policy analysis of Ghana’s health policy landscape regarding the extent t o which it makes it conducive for the participation of NGOs in health delivery. The study was conducted mainly via literature review exploring various critical questions and embedding the findings in stakeholders’ own analysis via discussions of the outcome by way of individual and focus group discussions. The study revealed that NGOs are a critical and an integral part of the health delivery system in Ghana and their interventions are largely aligned with national health priorities. On the other hand, alth ough the Ghana’s health policy provides a framework that makes it conducive for the participation of the private sector, including NGOs, in health delivery, there are operational challenges that make it difficult to realize effective partnership with the private sector. The paper concludes by proposing a model that will ensure effective public-private partnership in health delivery in Ghana. Effective partnership between the Ghana Health Service and NGOs, mentoring of NGOs by the Ghana health service, addressing the weak capacity of NGOs for efficient service delivery, sub-contracting of primary health care and a more organised NGO sector are key to realizing effective collaboration for health delivery. Keywords : Partnership, Health, Policy, Sub-contracting, NGOs, Ghana