Navrongo: The Navro-Pio, Pe Denis Aneakwoa Balinia Adda Asagpaare II, the Paramount Chief of the Navrongo Traditional Area, has called for widespread support for the government's Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme. He emphasized the importance of the initiative and cautioned against its politicization, urging Ghanaians to remember past instances where health schemes were politically manipulated.
According to Ghana News Agency, the appeal was made during a courtesy visit by Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister for Health, to the Chief's palace. The visit was part of the Minister's tour of the area to assess the implementation of the FPHC programme. Mr. Akandoh was accompanied by officials including Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and other key figures from the health sector.
Pe Asagpaare II also highlighted the need for the refurbishment of the War Memorial Hospital, established in 1951. He pointed out that the facility had not seen major renovations since its management was taken over by the government in 1961, which affects its status as a referral center. Responding to this, Mr. Akandoh visited the hospital to evaluate its condition and acknowledged the need for renovations, promising government consideration.
The FPHC programme, launched in April 2026, is a significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Ghana. It focuses on disease prevention, early detection, and health promotion, extending free health services to all 15 municipalities and districts in the Upper East Region. The services include immunization, antenatal and postnatal care, treatment of common illnesses, and screening for various health conditions.
The initiative also plans to enhance healthcare accessibility by setting up health posts and kiosks in strategic locations. Community Health Nurses will conduct routine home visits to monitor health indicators, referring individuals with concerning readings to health centers. To prevent impersonation, the GHS will issue identification cards to health workers to ensure the integrity of the FPHC programme's implementation.