Management of mutual health organizations in Ghana

Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH
R BaltussenIrene Akua Agyepong

Abstract

Mutual Health Organizations (MHO) emerged in Ghana in the mid-1990s. The organizational structure and financial management of private and public MHO hold important lessons for the development of national health insurance in Ghana, but there is little evidence to date on their features. This paper aims at filling this data gap, and at making recommendations to Ghanaian authorities on how to stimulate the success of MHO. Survey among 45 private and public MHO in Ghana in 2004-2005, asking questions on their structure, financial management and financial position. Private MHO had more autonomy in setting premiums and benefit packages, and had higher community participation in meetings than public MHO. MHO in general had few measures in place to control moral hazard and reduce adverse selection, but more measures to control fraud and prevent cost escalation. The vast majority of schemes were managed by formally trained and paid staff. The financial results varied considerably. Ghanaian authorities regulate the newly established public MHO, but may do good by leaving them a certain level of autonomy in decision-making and secure community participation. The financial management of MHO is suboptimal, which indicates the need for techn...Continue Reading

References

May 1, 1999·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·B Criel, M Van Dormael
Oct 16, 2004·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Bart CrielMaria Pia Waelkens
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Citations

Jan 12, 2013·Health Policy and Planning·Divya ParmarRainer Sauerborn
Jun 26, 2012·BMC Health Services Research·Roger A AtingaFrancis-Xavier Andoh Adjei
Nov 1, 2008·Health Research Policy and Systems·Catherine E Vialle-ValentinAnita K Wagner
Apr 25, 2009·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Manuela De AllegriSteffen Flessa
Mar 5, 2011·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Irène Akua AgyepongDavid Hercot
Dec 5, 2013·The International Journal of Health Planning and Management·Shafiu MohammedHengjin Dong
Dec 8, 2009·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·N SarpongN G Schwarz
May 14, 2016·International Journal for Equity in Health·Aaron A AbuosiEdward Nketiah-Amponsah
Oct 4, 2016·International Journal of Health Policy and Management·Adam Fusheini
Nov 15, 2017·Health Research Policy and Systems·Maarten Olivier KokElis Joost Ruitenberg
Nov 18, 2009·Tropical Medicine & International Health : TM & IH·Andreas KalkElisabeth Girrbach

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