Accra: The Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Information Services Department (ISD) has initiated a public education campaign aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging early utilisation of the Government's Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme. This campaign spans across all 43 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) within the Ashanti Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the campaign will involve Information Officers engaging the public through various platforms, including radio programmes, market centres, lorry stations, churches, mosques, Community Information Centres (CICs), schools, and other public venues. The focus will be on educating the public about the objectives, benefits, scope, and procedures for accessing the FPHC programme services. The initiative also aims to reduce delays in seeking medical attention, especially for those hindered by financial constraints.
The Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, highlighted that the programme marks a significant shift in Ghana's healthcare delivery system, transitioning from a treatment-focused approach to one emphasizing prevention, early detection, and timely intervention. He explained that the FPHC programme offers free access to essential primary healthcare services at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, and polyclinics.
The service package includes screenings for hypertension and diabetes, checks for blood pressure and blood sugar, risk assessments, cancer and mental health screenings, antenatal and postnatal care, child health services, immunisation, growth monitoring, and newborn follow-ups. Additionally, it covers family planning, counselling, treatment of common conditions, and education on nutrition, physical activity, hygiene, and healthy lifestyles.
Mr. Akandoh noted that the programme is designed to not only treat illnesses but also to identify health conditions early, preventing them from escalating into serious complications. Health professionals will extend services beyond health facilities, conducting basic health assessments and referring individuals needing further care to appropriate health facilities.
The Minister clarified that participation in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is not required to access FPHC services, as the initiative complements, rather than replaces, the NHIS. While primary-level services are free, patients needing higher-level services will continue to rely on NHIS and other financing arrangements, including the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as MahamaCares.
The phased implementation of the programme has reached 135 districts across all 16 regions by September 2026, with services provided through 4,447 health facilities. The Government is aiming for nationwide coverage. The Ashanti Regional ISD underscored the necessity of the public education campaign due to financial barriers, inadequate information, and delayed health-seeking behaviours, which can complicate and increase the cost of treatment.
The programme is expected to significantly benefit vulnerable groups by reducing financial barriers to essential healthcare and promoting early health-seeking behaviour. The Department urged residents to utilise the FPHC programme by visiting participating health facilities and called upon community leaders and stakeholders to support the campaign to ensure widespread dissemination of information.