Types of interpreter services at a border town hospital in Ghana: implications for linguistic rights and access to healthcare

Abstract A global priority captured by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 is universal access to quality, essential healthcare services. However, linguistic barriers have been found to be a cause of poor or unequal access to healthcare, especially for migrants for health purposes (MHPs). This paper presents types of interpreter in a border town health facility in Ghana and the implication for access to healthcare in the context of linguistic rights protection. Using data obtained from interviews with 13 health workers and one quasi-official interpreter, we show that communication in this health centre is mostly facilitated by ad hoc interpreters including relatives and friends, other patients, medical personnel, and a unique group called Ambulances who accompany patients to the hospital. We demonstrate how the use of ad hoc interpreters as supplementary inclusion measures facilitates access to healthcare and protects linguistic rights. We conclude the paper by advocating for training of trainers of medical interpreters, training of ad hoc interpreters for professionalization, and the development and implementation of regular workshops and systematic guidelines on multilingual communication. This paper adds to the discourse on language as a crucial determinant of healthcare access and a key factor in the attainment of sustainable development.