PROMOTING HEALTH CARE DELIVERY THROUGH PARTNERSHIP: NATURE OF THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP APPROACH IN UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Globally, continuous rising prices, changing disease patterns, and increasing need for sophisticated technology for diagnosis and treatment in healthcare have made PPP an attractive approach in the health sector. However, its content and implementation varies from one location to the other. Using exploratory survey design and a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches, this study explored the nature and character of public partnerships in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study revealed that the partnership between the public health regulators and private care providers in the Region is not adequately complementary in the planning and management of healthcare delivery. In terms of completed projects, PPP has been effective in enhancing the health status of the population and efficient in meeting timelines. However, in terms of meeting timelines on overall partnership objectives, attaining cost targets or ensuring consistency with national healthcare goals, there are significant gaps. Besides regulatory lapses, there is generally little policy direction and action. A new agenda of partnership guided by commitment to policy direction and action, strong regulation and integrated approach to stakeholder participation is proposed, for effective and efficient PPPs in healthcare delivery.