Domestic Health Financing
Health financing refers to the “function of a health system concerned with the mobilization, accumulation and allocation of money to cover the health needs of the people, individually and collectively, in the health system… the purpose of health financing is to make funding available, as well as to set the right financial incentives to providers, to ensure that all individuals have access to effective public health and personal health care.” (WHO, 2000)
Universal Health Coverage
UHC means that all individuals and communities receive the health services that they need without suffering financial hardship. It includes the full spectrum of essential, quality health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and pallative care. UHC related policies relate to actions linked with Health Systems that include coverage, elimination of out-of-pocket expenses, etc.
Budget Advocacy
“Budget Advocacy” is a strategic approach to influence governments’ budget choices, aimed at achieving clear and specific outcomes—e.g., healthier people, less poverty, or improved governance. Effective advocacy will build toward attaining them with smaller concrete steps, such as increased budget allocations and more solid oversight of how funds are spent.
Training curriculum
Below you will find the Training Curriculum used for all Sessions and meeting times. Should you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us.
The UHC Ghana Training Project has a total of five phases:
Phase I: Community Mobilization & Project Infrastructure Development: This phase focuses on Stakeholder Mobilization and Engagement (identifying key CSOs, Media Organizations, and National Elected Officials who can commit to working with the Project Leaders). We also conduct Participant Selection (identify National CSO Representatives who would be the first line of those trained and able to train those in their respective areas).
Phase II Training Topics
Phase II: This phase brings together individuals identified during Phase I and consists of a two-day training focused on laying the groundwork for the project and expectations. It also connected participants to the website via individual profiles, linked them to social media platforms and the Project’s WhatsApp platform. The two day agenda consists of:
- Introductions
- Overview of Training
- State of Health in Ghana
- Health Financing in Ghana – Part A
- Health Financing in Ghana – Part B
There is also be a Recap of Day One at the beginning of Day Two to allow participants have a rapporteur highlight lessons learned from Day One. Also, the training ends with Next Steps to ensure all participants have an agreement on homework, research, documents to review, etc. over the time commitment of the project.
Phase III Training Topics
Phase III: UHC and Right to Health in Ghana: This phase brings together those from UHC Ghana for another two-day training that builds on Phase II and focuses on the following:
- Discuss Ghana Roadmap to UHC
- Review National Health Insurance Scheme & Packages
- Review Right to Health in Ghana
- Constitutional Provision
- Public Health Act
- National Health Policy
This training begins with a deep dive into understanding Ghana’s framework around UHC, its inception, progress so far and work remaining to be done as well as challenges.
Phase IV Training Topics
Phase IV: Budget Analysis and Advocacy: This phase brings together those from UHC Ghana for a two-day training that builds upon Phase III and focuses on the following:
- Ghana’s Budget
- Budget Process
- Understanding Fiscal Space 101
- Ghana’s Budget Cycle
- Budget Analysis
- Budget Advocacy
By the end of this training, participants should have received a significant amount of information surrounding Ghana’s budget, its development process, key timeframes to engage Parliamentarians to discuss health financing and advocate for more funding and support.
Phase V Training Topics
Phase V: Operationalizing Advocacy: This phase brings together UHC Ghana for the final two-day training that builds upon Phase IV and focuses on the next steps and develop plans for moving forward with the key training focus areas.
- Advocating for UHC in Participant/s Area/Sub-sector
- Presentation of Participant’s UHC Advocacy Plans
- Brainstorm with Participants Regarding Regional Training Activities
- GRADUATION CEREMONY – CERTIFICATES
By the end of this training, participants should have received a significant amount of informtion on advocacy and were grouped together to develop plans and strategies on how to implement the information in their Regions.