Volta region: The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that health workers will soon embark on house-to-house visits across the country to conduct health screening and early disease detection as part of the government's Free Primary Healthcare programme.
According to Ghana Web, the initiative is aimed at shifting Ghana's healthcare system from a largely treatment-focused approach to one that prioritises disease prevention, health promotion and early intervention. Speaking in an interview on Global105.1 FM in the Volta Region, Akandoh emphasized the importance of this shift towards preventive healthcare.
Trained health personnel will visit homes, churches, mosques, markets, and other public spaces, providing basic health screening services free of charge. The minister explained that these routine checks will include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, and temperature screening, aiming to identify potential health conditions before they become life-threatening.
Akandoh expressed concern about the growing number of Ghanaians living with undiagnosed non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension. He noted that many individuals remain unaware of their condition until serious complications occur, with more than 60 percent of people living with hypertension not knowing their status.
The minister described the preventive healthcare component of the programme as a potential "game changer" for the country's health sector. He argued that healthcare systems should not focus exclusively on curing diseases but must also include promotion, prevention, and curative services.
The outreach teams, as Akandoh elaborated, will operate on scheduled programmes, moving from one community to another, ensuring that residents across the country benefit from regular health assessments and education. This strategy aims to identify health risks at an early stage, enabling timely treatment and reducing pressure on hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
The minister further disclosed that these preventive services will form a key component of the government's Free Primary Healthcare programme, which is designed to provide access to basic healthcare services for all Ghanaians.