health-care in ghana....

[madrchsod]

first ..contrary to right-wing rumors the people of ghana were thrilled that obama came to their country.

my friend from ghana were discussing health-care in this country and his. he could`t understand why such a wealthy country did not have public health-care for all.he explained the health-care system in ghana is modeled after the best of the british and american systems.

the americans gave them the idea of setting up regional hospitals and community health-care or clinics across the country. the clinics have nurse practitioners and have a ambulance to transport the injured to a regional hospital. the major hospitals are in the main cities. ghana has three teaching hospitals with the latest equipment and procedures.

they use the british system of a mix of public and private insurance. health-care is free to all until a certain age. after that age men are expected to work and those who do not are not covered. my friend still does`t understand why this country pays people not to work. women are covered their entire life.there`s other minor quirks in the ghana system but nothing as bad as anything we have.

this is a relatively poor democratic country in africa that has public health-care for all...it`s embarrassing as a citizen of the united states that we do not have at least the same as ghana.

[jwirr]

1. Thank you for the information.

[sandnsea]

2. A Ghana health clinic is what people fear

I really wish we wouldn't use those kinds of examples to try to sell people on a public option which is about as far from Ghana as you can get.

[timeforpeace]

3. Men who don't work aren't covered? This is a good thing?

[madrchsod]

4. men have to be employed , self employed ,or in school

it`s part of their culture

[mopinko]

5. this is just not a proper comparison.

"health care" in a place like ghana, for most people, does not include going to those 3 teaching hospitals. it consists of a visiting nurse vaccinating children. their life expectance is in the mid 50's. i doubt anyone survives cancer.
here is a link to an article decrying the lack of a proper pharmacy in the hospitals. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/artikel.php?ID=166506

i have friends from ghana, too. they also try to convince me that it is as good as the u.s. in many ways. and yet they live here, and bring their relatives. i suspect most of the comparisons to the cuban medical system are the same.