Reproductive Health Matters
Volume 15, Issue 30 , Pages 61-71 , November 2007

The Experience of Ghana in Implementing a User Fee Exemption Policy to Provide Free Delivery Care

  • Sophie Witter

      Affiliations

    • Research Fellow, IMMPACT, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
  • ,
  • Daniel Kojo Arhinful

      Affiliations

    • Research Fellow, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • ,
  • Anthony Kusi

      Affiliations

    • Researcher, IMMPACT, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • ,
  • Sawudatu Zakariah-Akoto

      Affiliations

    • Researcher, IMMPACT, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

References 

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  2. Wagle R, Sabroe S, Nielsen B. Socioeconomic and physical distance to the maternity hospital as predictors for place of delivery: an observation study from Nepal. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 2004;4(8):
  3. Gilson L. The lessons of user fee experience in Africa. Health Policy and Planning. 1997;12(4):273–285
  4. Witter S. An unnecessary evil? User fees for health care in low income countries. London: Save the Children; 2005;
  5. Pearson M. Assessing the case for abolishing user fees: lessons from the Kenya experience. London: HLSP; 2005;
  6. Gilson L, McIntyre D. Removing user fees for primary care in Africa: the need for careful action. BMJ. 2005;331:762–765
  7. UNFPA, Ministry of Health. Ghana health sector five year programme of work (2002–2006) - an in-depth review of the health sector response to maternal mortality in Ghana by 2003. Accra: UNFPA/MoH; 2004;
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  9. World Bank. Ghana Living Standards Survey. Washington DC: World Bank; 1999;
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  11. Waddington C, Enyimayew K. The impact of user charges in Ashanti-Akim district, Ghana. International Journal of Health Planning and Management. 1989;4:17–47
  12. Garshong B, Ansah E, Dakpallah G, et al. “We are still paying”: a study on factors affecting the implementation of the exemptions policy in Ghana. Accra: Health Research Unit, Ministry of Health; 2001;
  13. Nyonator F, Kutzin J. Health for some? The effects of user fees in the Volta region of Ghana. Health Policy and Planning. 1999;14:329–341
  14. Ministry of Health. Guidelines for implementing the exemption policy on maternal deliveries. Accra: Ministry of Health; 2004;Report No. MoH/Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation-59
  15. Noguchi Institute, IMMPACT. An evaluation of the policy of universal fee exemption for delivery care: Ghana operational protocol. Accra: Noguchi Institute/IMMPACT; 2005;
  16. Armar-Klemesu M, et al. An evaluation of Ghana's policy of universal fee exemption for delivery care: preliminary findings. Aberdeen: IMMPACT; 2006;
  17. Dubbledam R, Witter S, et al. Independent Review of Programme of Work 2006. Accra: Ministry of Health; 2007;
  18. Witter S, Kusi T, Zakariah-Akoto S, et al. Evaluation of the free delivery policy in Ghana: findings from key informant interviews. Accra/Aberdeen: IMMPACT; 2005;
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  20. Ministry of Health. National Health Insurance Policy Framework for Ghana (revised version). Accra: Ministry of Health; 2004;
  21. Ensor T. Cost sharing system for alleviating financial barriers to delivery care: review of the proposed scheme. London: Options; 2005;
  22. Borghi J, Ensor T, Neupane B, et al. Financial implications of skilled attendance at delivery in Nepal. Tropical Medicine and International Health. 2006;11(2):228–237
  23. Kelin D, Kaining Z, Songuan T. A draft report on mother and child health: Poverty Action Fund study in China. Washington DC: World Bank; 2001;
  24. Dmytraczenko T, Aitken I, Carrasco S, et al. Evaluation of the national security scheme for mothers and children in Bolivia. Bethesda MD: Abt Associates for PHR; 1998;
  25. Ministry of HealthIMMPACTUNFPACentre de Formation et de Recherche en Santé de la Reproduction. An evaluation of the policy of fee exemption for deliveries and caesareans in Senegal: operational protocol. Aberdeen: IMMPACT; 2006;
  26. Gilson L, Russell S, Buse K. The political economy of user fees with targeting: developing equitable health financing policies. Journal of International Development. 1995;7(3):
  27. Witter S, Aikins M, Kusi T. Funding and sustainability of the delivery exemptions scheme in Ghana. Aberdeen: IMMPACT; 2006;
  28. Witter S, Kusi A, Aikens M. Working practices and incomes of health workers: evidence from an evaluation of a delivery fee exemption scheme in Ghana. Human Resources for Health. 2007;5(2):
  29. Arhinful D, Zakariah-Akoto S, Madi B, et al. Effects of free delivery policy on provision and utilisation of skilled care at delivery: views from providers and communities in Central and Volta regions of Ghana. Aberdeen/Accra: IMMPACT; 2006;
  30. Bitran R, Giedion U. Waivers and exemptions for health services in developing countries. Washington DC: World Bank; 2003;
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  32. Ghana Health Service. GHS 2003 Performance Report. Accra: GHS; 2004;

PII: S0968-8080(07)30325-X

doi: 10.1016/S0968-8080(07)30325-X

Reproductive Health Matters
Volume 15, Issue 30 , Pages 61-71 , November 2007