A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana
Abstract Background In 2008, the Government of Ghana implemented a free maternal healthcare policy through the National Health Insurance Scheme to increase financial access to maternity care services and reduce perinatal and maternal mortality rates. As an area with less evidence, this study sought...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12861-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849309820459417600 |
|---|---|
| author | Clement Kwame Serchim Daniel Opoku Richard Abeiku Bonney Kwame Sarkodie. Safo Samuel Kwabla Amegble Nathaniel Nii Korley Kodi Kofi Akohene Mensah |
| author_facet | Clement Kwame Serchim Daniel Opoku Richard Abeiku Bonney Kwame Sarkodie. Safo Samuel Kwabla Amegble Nathaniel Nii Korley Kodi Kofi Akohene Mensah |
| author_sort | Clement Kwame Serchim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In 2008, the Government of Ghana implemented a free maternal healthcare policy through the National Health Insurance Scheme to increase financial access to maternity care services and reduce perinatal and maternal mortality rates. As an area with less evidence, this study sought to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions of the free maternal healthcare policy for quality healthcare delivery in Kwadaso Municipality, Ghana. Methods This study adopted a qualitative approach using an exploratory study design. Fifteen participants were purposefully included. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted among administrators, doctors, physician assistants or nurses in charge, nurse managers, and midwives in charge of maternity units of the selected health facilities. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results The study identified four key themes in the implementation of the free maternal healthcare policy: (1) Service coverage, characterized by broad inclusivity but marred by persistent co-payments for some services; (2) Human and financial resources, marked by adequate staffing alongside financial constraints affecting service delivery; (3) Facilities and equipment, highlighting spatial limitations and equipment shortages; and (4) Process of care and safety, demonstrating protocol adherence despite challenges in postnatal care follow-up. Overall, the policy was associated with notable reductions in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conclusion The free maternal healthcare policy improves access and outcomes but faces challenges in funding, infrastructure, and postnatal care. Addressing these gaps is vital for sustainable maternal healthcare improvements in Ghana. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cd752a50159c475a8625d3a8c0626ec0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-cd752a50159c475a8625d3a8c0626ec02025-08-20T03:53:57ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632025-05-012511810.1186/s12913-025-12861-zA qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in GhanaClement Kwame Serchim0Daniel Opoku1Richard Abeiku Bonney2Kwame Sarkodie. Safo3Samuel Kwabla Amegble4Nathaniel Nii Korley Kodi5Kofi Akohene Mensah6School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologySchool of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologySchool of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologySchool of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyNursing and Midwifery Training CollegeNursing and Midwifery Training CollegeSchool of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Background In 2008, the Government of Ghana implemented a free maternal healthcare policy through the National Health Insurance Scheme to increase financial access to maternity care services and reduce perinatal and maternal mortality rates. As an area with less evidence, this study sought to explore healthcare providers’ perceptions of the free maternal healthcare policy for quality healthcare delivery in Kwadaso Municipality, Ghana. Methods This study adopted a qualitative approach using an exploratory study design. Fifteen participants were purposefully included. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted among administrators, doctors, physician assistants or nurses in charge, nurse managers, and midwives in charge of maternity units of the selected health facilities. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results The study identified four key themes in the implementation of the free maternal healthcare policy: (1) Service coverage, characterized by broad inclusivity but marred by persistent co-payments for some services; (2) Human and financial resources, marked by adequate staffing alongside financial constraints affecting service delivery; (3) Facilities and equipment, highlighting spatial limitations and equipment shortages; and (4) Process of care and safety, demonstrating protocol adherence despite challenges in postnatal care follow-up. Overall, the policy was associated with notable reductions in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Conclusion The free maternal healthcare policy improves access and outcomes but faces challenges in funding, infrastructure, and postnatal care. Addressing these gaps is vital for sustainable maternal healthcare improvements in Ghana.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12861-zMaternal healthcareHealth policyImplementationPrimary healthcare |
| spellingShingle | Clement Kwame Serchim Daniel Opoku Richard Abeiku Bonney Kwame Sarkodie. Safo Samuel Kwabla Amegble Nathaniel Nii Korley Kodi Kofi Akohene Mensah A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana BMC Health Services Research Maternal healthcare Health policy Implementation Primary healthcare |
| title | A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana |
| title_full | A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana |
| title_short | A qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in Ghana |
| title_sort | qualitative study of the perception of quality of free maternal healthcare policy among primary healthcare providers in ghana |
| topic | Maternal healthcare Health policy Implementation Primary healthcare |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12861-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT clementkwameserchim aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT danielopoku aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT richardabeikubonney aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT kwamesarkodiesafo aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT samuelkwablaamegble aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT nathanielniikorleykodi aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT kofiakohenemensah aqualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT clementkwameserchim qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT danielopoku qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT richardabeikubonney qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT kwamesarkodiesafo qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT samuelkwablaamegble qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT nathanielniikorleykodi qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana AT kofiakohenemensah qualitativestudyoftheperceptionofqualityoffreematernalhealthcarepolicyamongprimaryhealthcareprovidersinghana |