Methodological Evaluation of Public Health Surveillance Systems in Ghana: Panel Data Estimation for Measuring System Reliability

Public health surveillance systems in Ghana play a crucial role in monitoring disease outbreaks and ensuring timely intervention. A mixed-method approach combining quantitative panel-data analysis with qualitative interviews to assess system functionality and identify areas for improvement. Panel-data analyses revealed a significant delay (mean = 5 days) in the detection of disease outbreaks compared to international standards, indicating room for improvement in timeliness. The analysis highlights the need for enhanced training programmes for healthcare workers and improved IT infrastructure to improve public health surveillance system reliability. Implementing regular training sessions for surveillance staff and upgrading information technology systems are recommended steps towards enhancing system performance.