Accra: Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced a groundbreaking Free Primary Health Care programme that allows citizens to access essential medical services at no cost, requiring only a valid national ID.
According to Ghana Web, the Minister emphasized that this initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers that often prevent timely access to medical care. Akandoh noted that preventive, promotive, and curative services would be available under the Free Primary Health Care service package without any cost to the patients.
For many Ghanaians, particularly those in underserved communities, the financial burden of basic healthcare has historically led to delayed hospital visits or a reliance on self-medication. The new policy seeks to change this by improving access to primary healthcare, encouraging early diagnosis, and preventing the worsening of health conditions.
This initiative is part of Ghana's broader push toward Universal Health Coverage, with current coverage at about 56% and a target of reaching 80% by 2030. Despite existing interventions like the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) initiative, many citizens still pay out-of-pocket for care, a situation the minister acknowledged.
Under the new policy, patients can access free services at CHPS compounds, health centers, and polyclinics nationwide. These services will include routine screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as maternal and child healthcare, immunizations, and treatment for common illnesses such as malaria and respiratory infections.
The programme will also extend beyond health facilities through community outreach programmes, home visits, and school-based health services, ensuring broader access, especially for those who rarely seek care. Akandoh highlighted that this represents a shift from treating advanced illnesses to prioritizing prevention and early detection, which are more effective and less costly.
The rollout will occur in phases between 2026 and 2028, starting with 150 selected districts in underserved areas before expanding nationwide. To support the initiative, the government has procured over 24,000 pieces of medical equipment, including incubators, glucometers, hospital beds, and ultrasound machines.
While primary-level services will be free, efforts will also be made to enroll uninsured individuals onto the NHIS, enabling them to access more advanced care when needed. Akandoh urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the programme by prioritizing regular check-ups and early treatment, stressing the ultimate goal of reducing preventable diseases and improving overall health outcomes.