Government Rolls Out Free Primary Healthcare in 135 Districts

The government has commenced the nationwide rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare programme in 135 districts, in a major step towards bringing quality and affordable healthcare services closer to Ghanaians.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, announced the rollout while addressing the press, saying the initiative formed part of President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of transforming Ghana’s healthcare system from a predominantly sick-care model to one focused on comprehensive and preventive healthcare.

According to the Minister, the Free Primary Healthcare programme will provide a range of essential services, including screening, maternal and child healthcare, basic curative services and community-based interventions.

He said the community component would include home visits and outreach programmes targeting schools, workplaces, markets and communities to ensure that healthcare services reach people where they live and work.

Mr. Akandoh said the rollout was being supported with significant investments in medical equipment and logistics to strengthen healthcare delivery at the primary level.

He disclosed that 24,534 essential medical equipment, more than 10,000 motorbikes and tricycles, and 5,000 outreach kits had been distributed to support health workers and facilitate the implementation of the programme across the beneficiary districts.

The Health Minister said the initiative represented a major step towards achieving President Mahama’s vision of moving Ghana from a system focused largely on treating illness to one that promotes comprehensive healthcare and prevention.

He assured Ghanaians that the Free Primary Healthcare programme was not a temporary intervention but a long-term commitment towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

“Free Primary Healthcare has come to stay,” Mr. Akandoh said, stressing the government’s determination to ensure that quality healthcare is brought closer to every Ghanaian.