Abstract:
Over the years healthcare has been identified as a major area of concern among
the general population in Ghana. For that matter various policies have been put in place to respond to health needs, but to no avail. Using an explorative study within the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipal Assembly of Accra, the study sought to ascertain if any elements of social capital could be relevant in the provision of quality healthcare in conjunction with future policies implemented in Ghana. Using a qualitative and quantitative methodology framework, the study established that the inclusion of elements comprising social capital, include norms, networks, trust, reciprocity, and resource pooling is necessary to aid in sustaining the National Health Insurance Scheme and their service care providers. The study also yielded that 44.4% of NHIS subscribers on the whole disagreed with the idea that the scheme is not being managed properly. Although the participants feel that the National
Health Insurance Scheme is good, the consensus among the participants was that there needs to be a source of alternative funding for the scheme. It was also found that the members of NHIS have inadequate knowledge as to whether the scheme is being managed well or not, indicating a lack of transparency on the part of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The study therefore suggests several points that contribute to the schemes
longevity. A revision in acquisition of funding pertaining specifically to the development of alternative funding methods for the scheme, restructuring the filing and reimbursement of claims, sensitization of the people through mass education, and implementation of monitoring and evaluation strategies. These points unearthed by the study could help the scheme become more efficient and effective in providing quality and sustainable health care for everyone.
