Building more hospitals may not ensure equitable access to healthcare

Access to healthcare goes beyond the simple availability of health facilities.

It is a multidimensional concept that includes people’s ability to seek, reach, afford and effectively use health services when they are needed.

In Ghana, the commissioning of new district hospitals under the government’s Agenda 111 initiative has been widely welcomed as a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

The initiative aims to close longstanding infrastructure gaps, particularly in underserved districts.

However, emerging evidence from a 2025 study indicates that while hospital construction is critical, it does not automatically ensure equitable access to healthcare.

The study examined how socioeconomic factors influence access to newly commissioned district hospitals in Ghana’s Ashanti Region.

 It involved 1,192 respondents across three districts—Ahafo Ano North, Asante Akim Central and Bekwai.

Findings show that although infrastructure development provides an essential foundation, it is insufficient on its own to guarantee equitable access to health services.

 Among the three hospitals studied, Bekwai District Hospital recorded the widest access gaps, pointing to persistent inequalities within the health system.

According to the researchers, including Prof. Ebenezer Owusu-Addo of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the findings highlight the need for a more holistic and integrated approach to healthcare delivery.

The study was published in the journal Research Square.