నైరూప్య

Knowledge, perceptions and expectations from capitation as a provider payment mechanism among primary health care providers in the Kassena-Nankana District of Northern Ghana

Meghashish Sharma*

Background: A nation-wide rollout of capitation as a provider payment mechanism was undertaken in Ghana in 2016. There is limited literature on the relationship between knowledge of the NHIS capitation policy and perceptions of the scheme among healthcare providers in the region. This study aims to assess the knowledge, perceptions and expectations of Capitation among primary health care providers in the Kassena-Nankana districts of northern Ghana.

Methods: With a qualitative approach, data was collected in the Kassena Nankana district of Ghana in October 2016. Seven in depth interviews were conducted with health providers at Community Health-Based Planning Services [CHPS] compounds, Health Centres and the hospital. Responses from the interview were transcribed. Codes were developed for themes that were identified from the transcripts using Nvivo 11 software. Appropriate quotes were selected from the interviews to support the thematic content analysis.

Results: Healthcare providers in the region possess sound knowledge of the NHIS Capitation, but there are some gaps. The primary health care providers were not sure of the exact duration for which a PPP retains a client. Apart from this, there were also doubts regarding seeking care when away from the PPP. It was also revealed that the healthcare providers have a very positive attitude towards the scheme and was ready to welcome it as it is initiated in the region.