Cost-Benefit Analysis of Preventive Care Services in Ghana

Ecorys conducted a Cost-Benefit Analysis for UNICEF, which demonstrates the high economic returns of routine immunisations and preventive health services, strengthening Ghana’s public health system and economy.
Goal – To showcase Ecorys’ expertise in health economics and our ability to provide evidence-based policy recommendations for international organisations like UNICEF.

Ecorys performed a comprehensive Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) to evaluate the economic impact of reduced preventive healthcare services in Ghana. Commissioned by UNICEF, the study assesses routine immunisations (such as the Malaria and Pentavalent vaccines) and nutrition programmes. By comparing intervention savings against long-term costs like increased mortality and reduced productivity, the report provides a case for ensuring access to preventive healthcare for the Ghanaian population.

Background

The Government of Ghana and international partners require robust evidence to prioritise public spending in health. This project aimed to quantify the value for money of essential preventive services.  

Our team analysed the baseline situation and constructed counterfactual no-vaccination scenarios to estimate the impact of preventive interventions on child survival and healthcare cost (savings). In addition to financial and macroeconomic outcomes, the analysis incorporated health gains measured in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted. 

The study serves as a strategic tool for advocacy and resource mobilisation within the Ghanaian health sector.

Key Findings

• The high cost of inaction: The study reveals that discontinuing preventive health services would lead to massive economic losses in the short to medium-term. The highest losses are associated with the Pneumococcal (PCV), Malaria, Pentavalent, and BCG vaccines.
• A holistic value perspective: When looking beyond mortality and including DALYs, the economic argument for investment becomes even stronger. This captures the broader societal burden, including long-term disability and years of productive life lost.
• Nutrition as an economic driver: Interventions like Vitamin A supplementation and micronutrient powders also demonstrate strong economic returns, particularly in reducing morbidity. 
• Long-term compounding benefits: The analysis shows that economic losses increase substantially over a ten-year horizon if services are withdrawn.