The Economy...it's a Global Health Issue

Downtown Tamale

 The stark contrast in economic conditions between Ghana and Canada has left me in deep reflection. When comparing international poverty lines, set at $2.15 USD per person per day, there is a significant gap. In Canada, only 0.2% of the population falls below this line, whereas in Ghana, it's a staggering 25.2%. This disparity hits home when considering everyday expenses. The local currency is Ghanaian Cedis - 10 Cedis is the equivalent to one Canadian dollar. A meal at a local restaurant in Ghana costs around 80 Cedis (equivalent to $8 CAD). This boggles my mind to realize how “wealthy” we are in this country compared to at home.

I think about the ability we have to affect people’s lives with what we can afford here. For our screening clinics, we used money that was fundraised back home to purchase medications for our screening clinics to provide for free. With roughly 35,000 Cedis, we were able to get enough meds for over 600 patients between all the clinics. Back home, that amount of medications would cost significantly more. This contrast in healthcare accessibility was evident when a pregnant woman came in could not afford a Hepatitis B vaccine priced at 1000 Cedis ($100 CAD). The nurse had to have a conversation with her around making a plan on how she was going to save up money to afford it. 

 

Setting up for Health Screening

After having conversations with local nurses, I learned that unfortunately many nurses only get paid about the equivalent to 400$ CAD a MONTH. They shed light on the challenges they face, and how the government does little to support them. External labor, often cheaper, exacerbates the economic strain, as Ghana opts for international contracts over supporting local businesses. China specifically is highly involved with many contracts for construction for example, fostering a negative attitude from local Ghanaians towards China. 

 Despite these economic challenges, the resilience and gratitude of Ghanaians shine through, particularly in their appreciation for healthcare workers.  To us, providing free medications to patients seems like nothing; we’re used to the luxury of free healthcare back home. To them, it’s everything. “God bless you, may God protect you” - something we hear often here. Due to the financial burden of healthcare costs, many citizens, especially people located in rural areas, would never seek treatment. 

 

Donated supplies at Shekhina Clinic

Seeing how humble, grateful, and optimistic people are here amongst their struggles, gives me a whole new sense of appreciation. To provide insight, Canada has a population of around 38 million. Ghana on the other hand, that is about a third of the size of BC, has a population of around 33 million. This experience has shifted my perspective. I've come to realize that our way of life in Canada is a privilege, not the norm. As we navigate the densely populated streets of Ghana, poverty becomes a stark reality, highlighting the significance of the simple blessings we take for granted and the privilege we often overlook.

Posted by Jayne - 4th year BSN Student