An Analysis of the Distribution of Healthcare Facilities and Health Personnel in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Rapid population growth, lack of availability of resources, rising poverty levels and political interference have for a long time taken a toll on equitable provision of health services in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A major factor for health services provision in various communities is the concern for equity in the distribution of these facilities. The increase in the number of districts in the Eastern region in recent time has not been followed with a corresponding increase in the number of health facilities and health personnel, this has led to uneven distribution of health facilities and personnel in the region .The purpose of this study is to investigate the distribution of health facilities and health personnel in the Eastern region of Ghana. Data on the geographical location of each health facility as well as the total number of health workers were factored with the population in the administrative districts of the Eastern region as part of analysis to investigate the distribution of health facility/health personnel per population of each district and the region at large. The study established that health facilities and health personnel were unevenly distributed, some districts especially the recently added Kwahu Afram Plains South, Ayensuano, Upper West Akim along with existing ones such as Birim South, Kwahu West, Akyem Mansa, and Kwahu East all lacked in terms of health facilities and health personnel. The study recommended that areas that have been identified as disadvantaged districts should be considered for various intervention strategies.