ObjectivesIn her quest to reduce maternal mortality, Ghana introduced a free maternal healthcare programme under the National Health Insurance Scheme. This study aimed to evaluate if women registered with the insurance had a better chance of accessing maternal healthcare services in two districts in Ghana.SettingWe conducted a cross-sectional quantitative study involving household interviews of all women of the reproductive age group (15–49 years) residing in Kintampo North Municipality and Kintampo South District in Ghana from May to July 2015. Logistics regression analysis at 95% CI was used to determine the independent associations between maternal health insurance and use of antenatal care, facility-based delivery and postnatal care services.ParticipantsWomen who had children aged 3–12 months were selected to take part in the study.ResultsWe observed that women with insurance are 39.5 times more likely to have a maximum of six antenatal care visits and 2.6 times more likely to have an average of four antenatal care visits than those without insurance. Additionally, they are 5.3 times more likely to have facility-based delivery than those without insurance. An association was also found between postnatal care use and insurance as women who do not have insurance are 12.0 (1/0.083) times more likely to receive postnatal care than those with insurance.ConclusionsPregnant women who registered with health insurance had at least four antenatal care visits and delivered in a health facility. However majority of them did not go for postnatal care.

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans caused by the Ebola virus. Since the first case was identified in 1976, there have been 36 documented outbreaks with the worst and most publicized recorded in 2014 which ravaged three West African Countries, Guinea, Liberia and Serial Leone. The West African outbreak recorded 28,616 human cases, 11,310 deaths (CFR: 57-59%) and left about 17,000 survivors, many of whom have to grapple with Post-Ebola syndrome. Historically, ZEBOV has the highest virulence. Providing a historical perspective which highlights key challenges and progress made toward detecting and responding to EVD is a key to charting a path towards stronger resilience against the disease. There have been remarkable shifts in diagnostics, at risk populations, impact on health systems and response approaches. The health sector continues to gain global experiences about EVD which has shaped preparedness, prevention, detection, diagnostics, response, and recovery strategies. This has brought about the need for stronger collaboration between international organizations and seemingly Ebola endemic countries in the areas of improving disease surveillance, strengthening health systems, development and establishment of early warning systems, improving the capacity of local laboratories and trainings for health workers.

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