Ghana’s public healthcare system is managed by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and is funded through a mixture of sources, such as the government, social security contributions, donors and out-of-pocket payments.
While the government is aiming to deliver universal health coverage to its population by 2030, the state healthcare system is currently experiencing a range of issues that include a lack of funding and a shortage of trained medical professionals.
Health insurance for expats in Ghana
The health insurance system in Ghana
The Ghanaian government introduced the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) in 2003 to improve accessibility to healthcare services, with anyone resident in Ghana legally obliged to register under the scheme.
Expats can either register for this online or by visiting their local district office after they’ve become a resident, and will need to renew their membership annually. Once registered, they are issued with a membership card and are able to access state healthcare.
This scheme offers access to a wide range of medical care, though some exclusions may apply and not all treatment is free. Some examples of services that can be covered include maternity care, specialist consultations, emergency medical treatment, and visits to a doctor.
Ghana’s healthcare is broadly divided across three levels:
Primary healthcare: delivering treatment such as vaccinations, doctor consultations and specialist referrals, primary care is the first point of contact for patients that need medical treatment.
Secondary healthcare: individuals generally need a referral to access this type of care, which is offered district and hospitals and is for those who require more specialist medical care.
Tertiary healthcare: tertiary care is primarily given at teaching hospitals and some regional hospitals. It’s the highest level of medical care provided in Ghana and is used to treat the most complex and serious health conditions.
How to choose health insurance in Ghana: local or international?
Expats could consider purchasing private health insurance to protect their healthcare if they are thinking about relocating to Ghana, with two main options: local and international cover.
Local health insurance can provide expats with access to a variety of private healthcare services when living in Ghana, though cover is typically limited to the country where the policy was purchased.
International health insurance cover offers individuals a higher level of flexibility, where they can decide where they are treated and who by. It’s particularly beneficial for those who travel abroad frequently, allowing expats to access to leading private medical facilities across multiple countries, so long as it is within their chosen area of cover.
Find out more about the key benefits of international health insurance plans by clicking here.