Unsung heroes in Ghana's healthcare system: the case of community health volunteers and community health management committee.

Community engagement Community health management committee Community health volunteers Ghana Health system improvement Patient–public engagement Sub-Saharan Africa

Journal

Health research policy and systems

ISSN: 1478-4505

Titre abrégé: Health Res Policy Syst

Pays: England

ID NLM: 101170481

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
15 Jan 2024

Historique:

received: 19 09 2023

accepted: 21 12 2023

medline: 16 1 2024

pubmed: 16 1 2024

entrez: 15 1 2024

Statut: epublish

Résumé

In Ghana, the community-based health planning and services (CHPS) policy highlights the significance of both community health management committees (CHMCs) and community health volunteers (CHVs) in the Ghanaian health system. However, research into their specific effects on health system improvement is scarce. Some research has focussed on the roles of the CHMCs/CHVs in implementing specific targeted health interventions but not on improving the overall health system. Therefore, this research aims to examine the role of the CHMCs and CHVs in improving the Ghanaian health system. The study was conducted in three districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A total of 35 participants, mainly health service users and health professionals, participated in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured individual in-depth interviews. Participants were selected according to their patient-public engagement or community health activity roles. Data were transcribed and analysed descriptively using NVIVO 12 Plus. We found that the effectiveness of CHMCs and CHVs in health systems improvement depends largely on how members are selected. Additionally, working through CHMC and CHVs improves resource availability for community health services, and using them in frontline community health activities improves health outcomes. Overall, we recommend that, for countries with limited healthcare resources such as Ghana, leveraging the significant role of the CHMCs and CHVs is key in complementing government's efforts to improve resource availability for healthcare services. Community health management committees and CHVs are key in providing basic support to communities with limited healthcare personnel. Thus, there is a need to strengthen their capacities to improve the overall health system.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND

METHODS METHODS

The study was conducted in three districts in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A total of 35 participants, mainly health service users and health professionals, participated in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured individual in-depth interviews. Participants were selected according to their patient-public engagement or community health activity roles. Data were transcribed and analysed descriptively using NVIVO 12 Plus.

RESULTS RESULTS

We found that the effectiveness of CHMCs and CHVs in health systems improvement depends largely on how members are selected. Additionally, working through CHMC and CHVs improves resource availability for community health services, and using them in frontline community health activities improves health outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we recommend that, for countries with limited healthcare resources such as Ghana, leveraging the significant role of the CHMCs and CHVs is key in complementing government's efforts to improve resource availability for healthcare services. Community health management committees and CHVs are key in providing basic support to communities with limited healthcare personnel. Thus, there is a need to strengthen their capacities to improve the overall health system.

Identifiants

DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01099-y PMID: 38225642

pubmed: 38225642

doi: 10.1186/s12961-023-01099-y

pii: 10.1186/s12961-023-01099-y

doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

Pagination

Informations de copyright

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