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Ghana Expat Health Insurance

The Republic of Ghana, commonly referred to as Ghana, is located on the west coast of central Africa and shares borders with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. Ghana has a population of approximately 24 million people within an area spanning 238,500 square miles. Situated just north of the equator, Ghana enjoys a warm and humid climate with two wet seasons which are typically from April to June and September to November. Formerly known as Gold Coast and British Togoland and part of the British Empire, in 1957 it became the first sub-Saharan country to be granted independence from its colonial rulers and was subsequently renamed Ghana in reference to the ancient empire that ruled the area.

With over 100 different ethnic groups and 79 individual languages and dialects, Ghana boasts a rich and diverse culture. English has remained the official language of the country and most Ghanaians are proficient in English and a local dialect. Ghana’s ethnic groups have lived side by side in relative peace and harmony and a result Ghana has not succumbed to the internal conflicts that have beset many of its African neighbors.

Ghana has abundant natural resources such as gold, oil and diamonds and is the world’s second largest producer of cocoa. Oil production is scheduled to begin in 2011 which will further increase national revenue. As a result, Ghana is classed as a middle income economy with a GDP per capita of USD1600. Increasing numbers of expatriate Ghanaians have begun to return to the country for holiday purposes and the tourism industry is now expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Despite these economic successes, Ghana has been unable to simultaneously develop both its economy and national infrastructure.

Ghana Healthcare System and Insurance

Ghana’s health care system falls under the control of the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Services and to a lesser extent the Christian Health Association of Ghana. Five levels of health care are available to citizens and they are: primary level care in the form of health posts for those living in rural areas, health centers and clinics, hospitals, regional hospitals and tertiary hospitals. There are 172 hospitals throughout Ghana with the majority of hospitals situated in the capital Accra, the greater Accra region and other urban areas with large populations. The standard and accessibility of medical facilities can vary greatly with some residents living in rural areas being required to travel long distances to seek treatment at their nearest health post. Hospitals run by the Christian Health Association, a religious Non-Governmental Organization, account for approximately 35 percent of Ghana’s hospital network.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was established in 2003 to create a fund in which contributors will receive affordable health care in the event of illness and accident. Contributions vary depending on income levels and area of residence. To ensure that all citizens contributed towards the success of the scheme, the government imposed a 2.5 percent levy on certain goods and services with all monies collected being transferred to the fund. The scheme has courted some controversy, most notably that members of the main opposition party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) actively dissuaded members and supporters from subscribing to the fund and there are many who criticize the one-time premium payment policy as unworkable. A number of diseases and treatments are also deemed too expensive to treat therefore affected individuals must make alternative arrangements to ensure the required treatment is received. The NHIS comprises one third of Ghana’s total annual health expenditure, which accounted for 6.2 percent of GDP in 2005.

HIV/AIDS, malaria and poor sanitation levels are three main areas of concern for Ghana’s health care authorities. The HIV/AIDS infection rate is 19 per 10,000 people and while this is low for the region, it is more than double the average global rate. Responding early to halt the spread of the epidemic, the Ghanaian government established a HIV/AIDS Commission to coordinate and oversee all organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other international donors. Malaria is the primary cause of morbidity in Ghana with approximately 33 percent of all persons who seek medical assistance doing so because of malaria. According to the WHO, malaria and measles are the two most common causes of premature death. Approximately 90 percent of the population now has access to clean and safe drinking water although only 75 percent of those living in rural areas have access to drinking water. Less than 20 percent of the total population has access to clean sanitation facilities. Although this figure is gradually increasing year on year, it remains a real problem for the government in its fight against sickness and disease.

Ghana Travel Advice

Expatriates and short term visitors to Ghana are advised to seek medical advice at least four to six weeks before departure. A number of vaccinations are recommended and these include: updating routine vaccinations against Influenza, chickenpox (or varicella), diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (DPT), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and the poliovaccine. Vaccinations for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Rabies and Meningococcal (meningitis) are also advised. All visitors are required to produce the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate at port of entry. Ghana’s hot climate has meant that malaria is prevalent year round. Standard precautions against insect bites such as using prescription anti-malarial drugs, sleeping in air conditioned rooms with disinfected bed nets and using insect repellant and wearing long sleeve trousers and shirts at all times. The symptoms of malaria include fever, chills, sweats, headache, body ache, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. Parasitic and insect borne diseases common to the region include leishmaniasis, filariasis, schistomiasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness). Outbreaks of Cholera are also known to occur sporadically throughout the year.

Ghana has a relatively low crime rate although some crimes of opportunity such as pick pocketing and purse snatching do occur in Accra and other large urban areas with most incidents taking place in areas frequented by tourists such as markets, beaches and parks. Visitors are advised to avoid carrying large sums of money and to exercise caution when using ATMs. A number of armed robberies involving foreign nationals have occurred in recent times and extra vigilance should be taken if driving a vehicle. Theft of luggage and travel documents is common at Kotoka International Airport and from hotel rooms. Luggage and travel documents should be kept secure at all times.

Ghana Expat Health Insurance

Medical facilities outside of Accra are limited and serious accidents and illness may require medical evacuation from Ghana. Expat health insurance or travel insurance that contains a provision for emergency medical evacuation is strongly advised. For information about the various expat health insurance products and services that Global Health Insurance can offer to individuals, families or groups visiting Ghana, or to receive a free global medical insurance quote, please contact one of our advisers today.

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