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Patterns of morbidity and mortality in Ghana are similar to those in other sub-Saharan countries. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (more than 45,000 cases per year), malaria, cholera, yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis and measles are major health concerns.
 The prevalence of HIV infection in Ghana is approximately 2% in general population and significantly higher (up to 6%) in pregnant women in major urban areas. The estimate of people living with HIV/AIDS in 2007 was 260,000. HIV prevalence rates are higher in the
more heavily populated southeast of the country, and women account for 63 % of
HIV/ AIDS cases.
Noncommunicable diseases are increasing with lifestyle changes. Hypertension, diabetes, chronic renal diseases, cancer and mental diseases are increasing and there is a rise in alcohol and tobacco use, and substance abuse. Cancer, while not currently among the leading causes of death in Ghana, will climb to top of this list soon, according to the
WHO 2005 Report. Late presentation of cancer patients is a major problem in Ghana.
Maternal and infant deaths are high and under-five mortality has not changed in the
last ten years (111 per 1,000 live births.) Malaria is the cause for 40 percent of outpatient visits as well as 25 percent of deaths of children under five years of age. There are a variety of healthcare providers in public, private and informal sectors, including two autonomous teaching hospitals, government hospitals and clinics, private providers, a coalition of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (accounting for 40% of patient care). National Health Insurance was instituted in 2004 to reduce the financial barriers to health caused by the user fee system.
At present, Ghana has approximately 1 physician per 18,000 people and the majority tend to be concentrated around the capital of Accra, while many Northern regions have no access to doctors at all. A major concern for Ghana's health infrastructure is the exodus of its trained medical personnel. According to a 2002 report, almost 70 percent of all doctors and 20 percent of nurses trained in Ghana during 1993-2002 left the country, creating a critical shortage in health care professionals. |
