Original Research

Telemedicine in Ghana: Insight into the past and present, a narrative review of literature amidst the Coronavirus pandemic

Gideon Dzando, Hope Akpeke, Augustine Kumah, Ernest Agada, Augustina A. Lartey, Joseph Nortu, Hillary S. Nutakor, Anthony B. Donyi, Rebecca Dordunu
Journal of Public Health in Africa | Vol 13, No 1 | a369 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2022.2024 | © 2024 Gideon Dzando, Hope Akpeke, Augustine Kumah, Ernest Agada, Augustina A. Lartey, Joseph Nortu, Hillary S. Nutakor, Anthony B. Donyi, Rebecca Dordunu | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 10 April 2024 | Published: 24 May 2022

About the author(s)

Gideon Dzando, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Hope Akpeke, Department of Nursing, Jasikan Government Hospital, Jasikan, Ghana
Augustine Kumah, Quality Directorate, Nyaho Healthcare Limited, Accra, Ghana
Ernest Agada, Department of Nursing, Jasikan Government Hospital, Jasikan, Ghana
Augustina A. Lartey, Department of Nursing, Mamprobi Hospital, Mamprobi, Accra, Ghana
Joseph Nortu, Department of Anaesthesia, Krachi West District Hospital, Kete Krachi, Ghana
Hillary S. Nutakor, Department of Addiction, Recovery and Rehabilitation, Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Anthony B. Donyi, Presbyterian University College, Asante Akyem Agogo, Ghana
Rebecca Dordunu, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

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Abstract

The Coronavirus pandemic has destabilized many healthcare systems globally since the outbreak was announced. The mode of transmission of the virus has affected the traditional face-to-face mode of seeking healthcare. The world health organization recommends measures, including limiting physical contact as a means of preventing the spread of the virus. Many countries across the world are utilizing telemedicine during this pandemic to provide basic healthcare to their citizens. The implementation of telemedicine in sub–Saharan Africa has encountered many challenges. The surge in the number of covid-19 cases in Ghana calls for drastic measures to contain the repercussions of the pandemic. The Government of Ghana and other private organizations continue to scale up efforts to integrate telemedicine into the mainstream healthcare system. This study seeks to explore and provide insight into the state of telemedicine in Ghana prior to and during the Coronavirus pandemic. This study is a narrative review of literature on the use of telemedicine in Ghana. Data was obtained from PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Google Scholar. A secondary search was conducted on government of Ghana health agencies’ websites and other relevant websites that published information on telemedicine in Ghana. Literature was analysed and topically discussed based on identified themes. There is an improvement in the number of information and communication technology coordinated healthcare services in Ghana since the outbreak was confirmed. Public-private partnership is required to boost the integration of telemedicine into mainstream healthcare in Ghana.

Keywords

Covid-19; Ghana; pandemic; telemedicine; mHealth

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