The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, says the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme will transform Ghana’s healthcare system by shifting the focus from treating illnesses to preventing and detecting diseases early.
Speaking at a community engagement on the programme at Fian in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District of the Upper West Region, Mr. Akandoh said the initiative forms part of government’s broader effort to achieve universal health coverage.
He explained that universal health coverage means ensuring that healthcare services are available, accessible and affordable to every Ghanaian, regardless of where they live, without pushing families into financial hardship.
The Minister said Free Primary Healthcare is being implemented at CHIPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics, where patients can receive treatment for common conditions such as malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory diseases without paying or presenting an NHIS card.
He stressed, however, that the programme goes beyond treating illnesses.
According to him, health professionals will visit homes, communities, churches and mosques to conduct health screenings, including checks for blood pressure, blood sugar and other conditions.
He said this approach would help detect non-communicable diseases, which often progress silently without patients knowing they have them.
“We are changing where healthcare begins, from the hospital to the community,” the Minister said, stressing that healthcare should not begin only when people fall sick.
Mr. Akandoh cited collaboration between health workers and the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at lorry stations as an example of preventive healthcare in action.
He said drivers with extremely high blood pressure readings, including systolic pressure above 200mmHg, could be prevented from driving for the day to reduce the risk of health-related road accidents.
The Minister said government had also invested in logistics and equipment to support health professionals under the programme.
He disclosed that 24,000 pieces of basic equipment had been received and distributed to primary healthcare facilities, with another 12,000 expected in the following week.
He added that 5,000 kit bags containing equipment for household visits had already been distributed, with an additional 5,000 expected.
Mr. Akandoh also said motorcycles and tricycles were being provided to facilitate the movement of health professionals conducting home visits, with another 7,000 motorcycles and tricycles expected in the coming weeks.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Minister clarified that Free Primary Healthcare does not replace the NHIS.
He explained that while primary-level services are free under the new programme, patients referred to district, regional or teaching hospitals would still require NHIS coverage.
He said government had also improved the NHIS by uncapping its funding and ensuring that service providers receive payments on time.
According to him, NHIS coverage has increased from about 57 percent to 76 percent, while the NHIS tariff was increased by 50 percent effective August.
Mr. Akandoh further urged health professionals to ensure quality service delivery, stressing that although services are free to patients, government pays for the medicines and services provided.
He said shortages of medicines and basic supplies such as gloves should therefore not be attributed to the services being free.
The Minister also highlighted the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as Mahama Cares, as another government intervention targeting non-communicable diseases.
He said the fund is designed to support the treatment of serious non-communicable diseases that are not adequately covered by the NHIS, noting that such diseases account for about 40 to 45 percent of deaths in Ghana.
Mr. Akandoh also announced progress in strengthening the health workforce, particularly in underserved areas.
He said about 20 medical doctors accepted postings to the Upper West Region, compared with only two in 2024.
He added that 13,500 nurses inherited by the government had been placed on the payroll and their outstanding arrears cleared, while the ongoing recruitment of health workers is being aligned with the Free Primary Healthcare programme.
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