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Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme: Helping the Poor or Leaving Them Behind?

Author

Listed:
  • Jenna Dixon

    (Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

  • Eric Y Tenkorang

    (Department of Sociology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's Newfoundland, A1C 5S7, Canada)

  • Isaac Luginaah

    (Department of Geography, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 5C2, Canada)

Abstract

We present findings on the determinants of enrolment for Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). With this study we contribute to the literature by providing one of the few quantitative analyses on a nationwide survey. Using data from the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, we find that those from the poorest households remain significantly less likely to enrol in the NHIS compared with respondents from wealthy households, even after controlling for theoretically relevant variables. However, our analysis also shows that respondents in Northern Ghana, considered the poorest part of the country, are more likely to be enroled than those in Southern Ghana. The findings present a clear challenge to the original mandate of the NHIS as a propoor policy and suggest that health policy makers should consider expanding and clarifying the criteria for declaring a person as indigent and that the scheme be further evaluated for obstacles that may be hindering enrolment.

Suggested Citation

  • Jenna Dixon & Eric Y Tenkorang & Isaac Luginaah, 2011. "Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme: Helping the Poor or Leaving Them Behind?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 29(6), pages 1102-1115, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:29:y:2011:i:6:p:1102-1115
    DOI: 10.1068/c1119r
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    References listed on IDEAS

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