1. with Highlights of my experience Presented By: Addia DeAllie
Healthcare in Ghana
with Highlights of my experience
Presented By: Addia DeAllie

2. A Welcoming Country

3. Ghana in Numbers and other Fun Facts
-Located in West Africa, Ghana boasts a population of over 28 million
-Its name comes from the name given to the kings of the medieval trading empire (4-13th century) that was northwest of present day Ghana
-Independence from Britain in 1957
-Once known as the Gold Coast, its economy now relies on export of gold, cocoa, oil, and lumbar among other resources
-Official language is English although there are many other languages spoken (ie. Twi)
-Bordered by Togo to the east, Cote d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
-President: Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
-Capital: Accra
-Deeply religious! Christian, Muslim

4. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
-Also known as KATH, Komfo Anoyke is
located in Kumasi, which is the regional capital of the Ashanti region
-Over 1000 bed capacity
-Referrals are seen from the northern regions, Brong Ahafo, Central, Western, Eastern and parts of the Volta Regions.
-Governed by a board of six executive members, and four government appointees or non-executive members, and the Dean of the School of Medical Sciences
-Recent addition of new mother-baby unit to be opened in the near future

5. Healthcare in Ghana: Topic of Interest
-Efficiency of care in Ghana and what’s being done to combat these issues
Improvements:
NHIS
Foundations that provide alternative funding
Barriers to improvement:
Personal Finances
Resources
-As was seen with change from “cash and carry” to the NHIS, can impact morbidity and mortality of patients

6. Paying for Medical Services
-National Health Insurance
Legacy of John Kufuor administration, effort to abolish cash and carry system
District mutual health insurance
-Private commercial health insurance
-Private mutual health insurance
-Cash and carry; services and medications not covered by NHIS
-Alternative funding efforts
Fundraising
Little Steps Foundation: created to help those families with limited funds to ensure as many patients as possible would receive necessary treatments

7. Being Resourceful
Barriers to improving efficiency of care and also quality improvement
Human resources or lack of adequate staff
Infrastructure
Autonomy
Finances
Equipment
The MRI scanner at KATH occasionally stops working
Having to rely on outside resources for imaging, etc.

8. Clinical Experience
-During my time in the PICU I was able to witness the progress of a pediatric patient who swallowed caustic alkaline soda
His progress after surgery
The change in his countenance and how quickly he seemed to improve when he was taken off monitors and allowed the freedom to move around
His happiness when his parents were able to hold him
-The attending overseeing his care was an exceptional teacher

9. Cultural Experience
Church dedication while visiting Lake Bosumtwi!

10. Experiencing Ghana!

11. Experiencing Ghana!

12. References
Ghana HomePage, Resource for News, Sports, Facts, Opinions, Business and Entertainment,
Fage, John D, et al. “Ghana.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,
Appiah, John Adabie. “PICU Perspective.” 21 Feb
Appiah-Kubi, Adu. “OB/GYN Perspective.” 21 Feb