The health MDGs in Ghana: lessons and implications for the implementation of the sustainable development goals

  • Journal of Public Health (Germany), Volume 26, No. 2, Year 2018

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Study Justification:
– The study aims to critically review the implementation of the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Ghana, specifically MDG 4, MDG 5, and MDG 6.
– The purpose is to draw key lessons from the national implementation strategies and institutional reforms adopted by Ghana towards achieving these health MDG targets.
– The study uses content analysis of policy documents in selected programmatic interventions to assess the progress made in reaching the health MDGs in Ghana.
Highlights:
– 73% of the 37 MDG indicators for Ghana were either achieved or showed significant progress.
– Ghana did not achieve MDG 4 and MDG 5 due to slow progress in improving child and maternal health.
– Key investments are needed in the health sector, particularly in access to good quality care, to narrow gaps in access and financing.
– Reducing maternal and child mortality in Ghana requires transforming sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation.
– Lessons learned from the study can enhance evidence-based policy-making towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.
Recommendations:
– Increase investments in the health sector, focusing on improving access to good quality care.
– Strengthen efforts to improve child and maternal health to achieve MDG 4 and MDG 5 targets.
– Transform sectors like energy, agriculture, and transportation to drive development and reduce maternal and child mortality.
– Use evidence-based policy-making to guide the implementation of the SDGs in Ghana.
Key Role Players:
– Ministry of Health
– Ministry of Energy
– Ministry of Agriculture
– Ministry of Transportation
– National Health Insurance Authority
– Ghana Health Service
– Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in the health sector
Cost Items for Planning Recommendations:
– Infrastructure development for healthcare facilities
– Training and capacity building for healthcare professionals
– Procurement of medical equipment and supplies
– Health education and awareness campaigns
– Research and data collection on health indicators
– Monitoring and evaluation of health programs
– Collaboration and partnerships with NGOs and international organizations

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Purpose: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), an initiative by the United Nations, consisted of eight broad goals, which were envisaged to improve the living conditions of the world’s populations. In spite of the momentum and investments made to achieve the MDGs, significant challenges still exist at the global and national levels. In Ghana, the attainment of some MDGs was uneven across the goals and within the country. This paper critically reviews the implementation of the health MDGs in Ghana: specifically, MDG 4, MDG 5 and MDG 6. The study focuses on drawing key lessons from the national implementation strategies and institutional reforms adopted by Ghana towards achieving these health MDG targets. Methods: The study uses content analysis of policy documents in selected programmatic interventions which have been deemed influential in reaching the health MDGs in Ghana. Results: In brief, the results indicate that 73% of the 37 MDG indicators for Ghana were either achieved or could show significant progress. Ghana did not achieve MDG 4 and MDG 5 due to the slow progress it made in improving child and maternal health. The study indicates that key investments need to be made in the health sector, especially in the areas of access to good quality care, to narrow gaps in access and financing. Conclusions: Reducing maternal and child mortality in Ghana will require transforming the sectors that drive development, such as energy, agriculture and transportation. It is expected that the lessons learnt will enhance evidence-based policy-making towards achieving the SDGs in Ghana.

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The study recommends making key investments in the health sector, particularly in improving access to good quality care, to address the gaps in access and financing for maternal health in Ghana. It suggests that transforming sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation will be necessary to reduce maternal and child mortality. By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that evidence-based policy-making will be enhanced towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.
AI Innovations Description
Based on the information provided, the recommendation to improve access to maternal health in Ghana is to make key investments in the health sector, particularly in the areas of access to good quality care, in order to narrow gaps in access and financing. This recommendation is based on the findings that Ghana did not achieve MDG 4 and MDG 5 due to slow progress in improving child and maternal health. The study suggests that transforming sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation will be necessary to reduce maternal and child mortality in Ghana. By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that evidence-based policy-making will be enhanced towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Ghana.
AI Innovations Methodology
To simulate the impact of the main recommendations on improving access to maternal health in Ghana, a methodology could be developed as follows:

1. Data Collection: Gather relevant data on the current state of maternal health in Ghana, including indicators such as maternal mortality rates, access to healthcare facilities, quality of care, and financing.

2. Baseline Assessment: Analyze the collected data to establish a baseline for maternal health in Ghana. This will provide a starting point against which the impact of the recommendations can be measured.

3. Intervention Design: Develop a detailed plan for implementing the recommendations, including specific interventions to improve access to good quality care, narrow gaps in access and financing, and transform sectors such as energy, agriculture, and transportation.

4. Simulation Modeling: Utilize simulation modeling techniques to estimate the potential impact of the interventions on maternal health outcomes. This could involve creating a mathematical model that incorporates various factors such as population demographics, healthcare infrastructure, and resource allocation.

5. Sensitivity Analysis: Conduct sensitivity analysis to assess the robustness of the simulation model and evaluate the potential impact of different scenarios or variations in key parameters. This will help identify the most effective strategies and potential challenges in implementing the recommendations.

6. Policy Evaluation: Evaluate the simulated outcomes against the desired targets, such as reducing maternal mortality rates and improving access to maternal healthcare. Assess the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the proposed interventions.

7. Policy Recommendations: Based on the simulation results and evaluation, provide evidence-based policy recommendations to stakeholders, policymakers, and relevant organizations involved in maternal health in Ghana. These recommendations should outline the most effective strategies for improving access to maternal health and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement a monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of the recommended interventions over time. Regularly assess the impact of the implemented policies and make necessary adjustments to ensure continuous improvement.

By following this methodology, policymakers and stakeholders can gain insights into the potential impact of the recommendations and make informed decisions to improve access to maternal health in Ghana.

Statistics:
Citations: 3
Authors: 3
Identifiers:
DOI: 10.1007/s10389-017-0854-8
ISSN: 09431853
Research Areas:
Community Interventions, Health System and Policy, Maternal Access, Maternal and Child Health, Quality of Care, Social Determinants
Study Countries:
Ghana
Study Approach:
Qualitative
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