Health

More than ever before, Ghanaians have seen their access to health care improve, and as a result they are living longer, healthier lives. Since the roll-out of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2005, 10.2m active subscribers had been added to the scheme as of end-2014, out of a total population of 25m. This has led to improvements in average life expectancy, which, in the decade leading up to 2014, rose from 57.79 years (2003) to 61.1 years (2013). The maternal mortality rate has declined steadily as well, to 380 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013, down 49% from 1990, though the country is still some way off from reaching the UN Millennium Development Goal of 185 deaths per 100,000 live births. The health care system is currently dealing with considerable financial challenges, but ongoing developments suggest a positive, and healthy, future for the sector.

This chapter includes an interview with Nathaniel Otoo, Chief Executive, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).