Bolgatanga: Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), emphasized that the selection of districts for the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme is guided by levels of deprivation and access to health services, rather than political considerations. The criteria for selection included several indicators such as the presence of hospitals, rates of maternal mortality, school enrolment figures, and the distances residents need to travel to access healthcare facilities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Akoriyea clarified the selection process while addressing the 33rd Annual General Conference of District Directors of Health Group (DDH-G) in Ghana, held in Bolgatanga. The conference revolved around the theme: 'From Policy to Practice: The DDHS Driving Free Primary Health Care in Ghana.' Dr Akoriyea highlighted that the GHS had already pinpointed deprived districts through established assessments, citing the Afram Plains as an area where geographical challenges make healthcare access particularly arduous.
Dr Akoriyea refuted the notion that health outcomes are solely dictated by the severity of diseases, pointing to the availability of adequate healthcare facilities and personnel as major influences. He illustrated this by comparing malaria outcomes between northern Ghana and Accra, attributing differences to the disparity in health infrastructure and personnel.
He urged health managers at various levels to collaboratively ensure the success of the FPHC policy, emphasizing its shared responsibility. He noted that the existing GHS framework would be maintained for the programme's execution, advising against creating new administrative roles. Dr Akoriyea called on district directors to prioritize competence over job titles when selecting officers for local implementation.
The DG assigned responsibility to community health nurses and officers, identifying them as frontline workers essential to the programme's success. He cautioned senior managers against encroaching on these workers' roles, advocating for supportive rather than interventionist leadership. Dr Akoriyea expressed optimism about the programme's potential success, asserting that a collective commitment from health workers could ensure its effective implementation. He concluded by emphasizing that the initiative could not only enhance healthcare delivery but also establish a lasting legacy for both current and future health-sector professionals.