Title_ Improving Healthcare Utilization for Low Income Rural Households: Impact Of Social Insurance Policy

Author_ Osei-Wusu Adjei, David Forkuor and Foster Frempong

Pages 119-140

Abstract_ This paper underscores the need for all-inclusive social insurance policy for health promotion amongst vulnerable households. It presents experiences from Ghana by analyzing how the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), introduced in 2003 to correct inequities and discrimination in organized healthcare utilization, is making an impact among low income and vulnerable rural households using the specific case of Kintampo Municipality in the middle belt of Ghana where poverty remains high. A sample of 180 households was drawn from NHIS registered households in the study district for data collection using structured interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Data was analyzed around three key parameters: regularity of utilization of healthcare services in times of need, households’ expenditure on healthcare, and health condition of respondents’ households before and after subscription to the NHIS. The paper concludes that holistic social insurance policy should combat affordability, accessibility, and acceptability challenges to healthcare for poor and vulnerable households.

Keywords_ Income Poverty, Rural Households, healthcare utilization, NHIS, Ghana