Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/36983 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
Ruhr Economic Papers No. 157
Publisher: 
Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI), Essen
Abstract: 
In 2003 the Government of Ghana established a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve health care access for Ghanaians and eventually replace the cash-and-carry system. This study evaluates the NHIS to determine whether it is fulfilling its purpose in the context of the Millennium Development Goals #4 and #5 which deal with the health of women and children. We use Propensity Score Matching techniques to balance the relevant background characteristics in our survey data and compare health outcomes of recent mothers who are enrolled in the NHIS with those who are not. Our findings suggest that NHIS women are more likely to receive prenatal care, deliver at a hospital, have their deliveries attended by trained health professionals, and experience less birth complications. We conclude that NHIS is an effective tool for increasing health care access, and improving health outcomes.
Subjects: 
Health insurance
prenatal care
Millennium Development Goals
Propensity Score Matching
JEL: 
I18
O12
C21
ISBN: 
978-3-86788-176-0
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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