| Ghana's health services have been based to a large extent on the British system, with emphasis on hospitals and sophisticated techniques. But these are costly and benefit only the city dweller, neglecting 70-80% of the population inhabiting rural areas. Although the value of promotive/protective health care has been recognized for several years, its benefits are not readily visible; hence these less expensive, more effective health programmes (prenatal care, immunization, nutrition, environmental sanitation, health education, etc.) succumb to political pressure. The few skilled doctors cannot provide the care needed by the rural areas; an "army," trained in very simple techniques, must be dispersed among the population to perform specific tasks: elementary medical care, MCH, collection of health statistics, environmental health. However, development of Ghana's health services is being delayed because there is an absence of medical leadership; there is no experienced health planning unit; its medical education needs reorientation; and there is a shortage of health support staff. This survey describes the nature and extent of the health problems in Ghana, the organization and distribution of health services, the training and utilization of health personnel, the administration of the health budget, and the goals and limitations of the health service. |