Legal and Ethical Issues in Geriatric Care in Ghana

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate legal, policy and health systems challenges undermining geriatric care standards in Ghana regarding access, quality, safety and ethics issues.

Method: Analytical framework applying CREAC method examining national Public Health Act provisions, Aging Policies and Ghana Health Service Guidelines against literature evidence on elderly care deficiencies.

Findings: Robust geriatric care standards are impeded due to legal authority limitations of existing policies, health workforce competency deficits and inadequate healthcare financing prioritization by government.

Conclusion: Ghana requires legislative reforms, mandated aged-care skills training and dedicated public health funding schemes for uplifting institutional capacities addressing elderly care needs.

Recommendations: Amend Public Health Act, institute minimum elderly care competency requirements for providers, and establish specialized care financing scheme.

Significance and Novelty: Provides policymakers critical blueprint on legal-workforce-financing interventions required through geriatric standards-setting, budget mechanisms and oversight processes for strengthening aged care systems capacities upholding patient dignity. Scientifically offers new insights linking legislative weaknesses to health systems performance gaps undermining equitable healthcare access for the elderly.

Keywords: 1) Geriatric care 2) Health policy 3) Health financing 4) Health workforce 5) Ghana

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/140-03

Publication date:March 31^st 2024