ArticleBMC research notes2018
The implementation of the free maternal health policy in rural Northern Ghana: synthesised results and lessons learnt.
Article in BMC research notes, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 31 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
31 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Facilitators and barriers of healthcare financing modalities for universal maternal healthcare services in East Africa: a qualitative systematic review.BMC health services research · 2025Pooled it
- Awareness and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare services among Deaf women in Krachi West District of Ghana: a qualitative study.Reproductive health · 2025Article
- The economic and health impact of substandard uterotonic use for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in three Sub-Saharan African countries: a comparative analysis.Health research policy and systems · 2025Article
- Predictors of institutional delivery service utilization among women in Northern region of Ghana.PloS one · 2025Article
- Factors Affecting Pregnancy Complications in Ghana.Global journal on quality and safety in healthcare · 2024Article
- Knowledge access and satisfaction of pregnant women on the use of the National Health Insurance Scheme in accessing health care in the Bia East District of Ghana.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- Why "free maternal healthcare" is not entirely free in Ghana: a qualitative exploration of the role of street-level bureaucratic power.Health research policy and systems · 2024Article
- Translating lessons to reinforce national stillbirth response; multi-stakeholder perspectives regarding priorities and opportunities to deliver quality evidence-based interventions within a limited-resource context in Uganda.BMC health services research · 2024Article
- Infant mortality in Ghana: investing in health care infrastructure and systems.Health affairs scholar · 2024Article
- Financing for equity for women's, children's and adolescents' health in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- The Effects of Ghana's Free Maternal and Healthcare Policy on Maternal and Infant Healthcare: A Scoping Review.Health services insights · 2024Article
- Birth preparedness and complications readiness among women in disadvantaged rural districts of Ghana.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2023Article
- Situation Analysis of a New Effort of Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) for Maternal Health in Upper West Region in Rural Ghana.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Women's views on obstetric fistula risk factors and prevention in north-central Nigeria: an interpretive descriptive study.BMJ open · 2023Article
- A qualitative analysis of factors influencing the implementation of antiretroviral treatment adherence policy in Ghana: stakeholders perspective.Health research policy and systems · 2023Article
- Ghana's Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (1000) Program Seasonally Impacts Birthweight: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis.International journal of public health · 2023Article
- Article
- Cost of childbirth in Upper West Region of Ghana: a cross-sectional study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2022Article
- Article
- Engaging community members in setting priorities for nutrition interventions in rural northern Ghana.PLOS global public health · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveA free maternal health policy was implemented under Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme to promote the use of maternal health services. Under the policy, women are entitled to free services throughout pregnancy and at childbirth. A mixed methods study involving women, providers and insurance managers was carried out in the Kassena-Nankana municipality of Ghana. It explored the affordability, availability, acceptability and quality of services. In this manuscript, we present synthesised results categorised as facilitators and barriers to access as well as lessons learnt (implications).
resultsReasonable waiting times, cleanliness of facilities as well as good interpersonal relationships with providers were the facilitators to access. Barriers included out of pocket payments, lack of, or inadequate supply of drugs and commodities, equipment, water, electricity and emergency transport. Four lessons (implications) were identified. Firstly, out of pocket payments persisted. Secondly, the health system was not strengthened before implementing the free maternal health policy. Thirdly, lower level facilities were poorly resourced. Finally, the lack of essential inputs and infrastructure affected quality of care and therefore, access to care. It is suggested that the Government of Ghana, the Health Insurance Scheme and other stakeholders improve the provision of resources to facilities.
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Registered trials
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