Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how Ghana is
managing and responding to the challenge of hypertension and diabetes.
Design/methodology/approach - Data collection involved
individual interviews with policy-makers, providers, payers, health
managers, and participants from patient and advocacy groups at district
and national levels; and focus group discussions with hypertensive and
diabetic patients. This was supported by analysis of documentation
detailing activities that have been undertaken in response to the
management of hypertension and diabetes in Ghana.
Findings - The Ghanaian health sector has drafted overarching
policies and strategies on management of diabetes, hypertension, other
non-communicable diseases, tobacco, alcohol, and nutrition-related
issues. Availability of funds is the main barrier to the implementation
of policies. Besides, the response of the health sector to address the
problems of hypertension and diabetes is focused more on clinical
management than prevention; while the structures and processes to manage
diabetes and hypertension are available at all levels of service
delivery, more needs to be done on preventive aspects.
Originality/Value - This is the first study to combine
individual interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups with patients,
and document analysis to review policy implementation on the management
of hypertension and diabetes in Ghana. The authors believe that the
evidence from this research will help inform future policy initiatives
on hypertension and diabetes in Ghana.