Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has launched the Central Regional Free Primary Health Care policy in Cape Coast, marking the official rollout of the government’s flagship health initiative in the region.
This means that residents can now access health care at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compounds, health centres and polyclinics across the region for free without having to worry about money.
With a strong focus on prevention, nurses will also embark on routine screening in communities, homes, churches and mosques for early detection and treatment of diseases including diabetes and cancers while sensitising citizens to healthy living.
To facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme, the Minister presented a raft of logistics and medical apparatuses to the Regional Health Directorate through the Central Regional Coordinating Council for distribution across the various districts.
They included motorbikes, specialised trikes, blood pressure monitors, glucometres, x-ray machines, scanners and some mobile devices.
The Free Primary Healthcare policy is a government intervention aimed at improving access to essential health services for all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay.
The programme seeks to transform Ghana’s health system from “sick care” to a more comprehensive approach that includes prevention, health promotion, and treatment.
Government is carrying out the programme in phases and aims to achieve nationwide coverage by 2028.
The first phase covers 150 of the country’s 261 districts, with priority given to underserved and rural areas.
The Minister noted that about 80 per cent of the people’s health needs could be addressed through primary health care, making it critical to achieving universal health coverage.
In that regard, he emphasised that the programme would prioritise screening and early detection of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes through routine community outreach and health education.
Unlike the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) which required registration, the Minister said this policy could be accessed without registration.
Mr Akandoh clarified that the NHIS remained essential because the Free Primary Healthcare did not cover services at district, regional, and teaching hospitals, urging citizens to maintain active membership of the NHIS.
He stressed that the Free Primary Healthcare policy, NHIS and the Mahama Care Medical Trust Fund which catered for advanced non-communicable diseases complemented one another rather than replace each other.
“Where the Free Primary Healthcare ends, the National Health Insurance begins; and where the National Health Insurance ends, the Medical Trust Fund begins,” he said.
For the policy to be successful, he said government had embarked on a massive investment in health infrastructure and retooling health facilities nationwide particularly at the primary healthcare level.
Presenting the Central Region’s share of the equipment, Mr Akandoh urged the establishment of a maintenance and replacement plan to ensure sustainability.
He directed that polyclinics should be given a higher priority in the distribution of the items.
He appealed to the media, traditional authorities, religious leaders and all citizens to support the policy to succeed.
Dr Peter Yeboah, President of Christian Health Association of Ghana, entreated healthcare professionals to take ownership of the implementation of the policy and actively engage communities through education, outreach, and service delivery at the grassroots level.
He was hopeful and excited that the initiative would promote inclusion and equitable access to healthcare, helping Ghana accelerate its progress towards achieving universal health coverage while improving the health and economic well-being of citizens.
For his part, Dr Ofori Boadu Yeboah, Director of Institutional Care Division, Ghana Health Service, said the policy would transform healthcare services in the region and contribute to improved health outcomes for residents.
Expressing gratitude for the policy and the equipment provided under the initiative, he said the intervention would significantly enhance outreach services by facilitating the movement of health workers to communities across the region.
He also commended the Minister of Health for his active involvement and commitment to the successful rollout of the policy. GNA
