Zuarungu: President John Dramani Mahama has sensitised Ghanaians on the benefits of the Government's Free Primary Healthcare Programme by embracing home health visits by nurses, basic screenings, and local clinic access designed to remove out-of-pocket costs for basic medical attention.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President made the appeal during a community engagement on the Free Primary Healthcare Programme at Zuarungu in the Bolgatanga East Municipality on day one of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper East Region. He emphasized that under the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, nurses would visit people's homes to check for conditions like hypertension and diabetes to ensure early detection and treatment.
President Mahama outlined Ghana's three-tier healthcare delivery systems, which include the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares). He explained that the basic level comprises health kiosks, CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics. Beyond the polyclinic level, individuals enter the National Health Insurance zone.
The President highlighted the addition of a segment for complex illnesses such as cancers and kidney diseases, with patients being referred to tertiary treatment centres from district hospitals. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to address non-communicable diseases like diabetes, strokes, and cancers.
President Mahama noted that the Trust Fund has begun equipping major hospitals with CT scanners, MRI machines, X-ray machines, and other essential diagnostic equipment. Catheterisation laboratories have been set up at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, with additional facilities planned for Kumasi and the Tamale Teaching Hospital, which will function as a complete cardiothoracic centre.
He assured residents that a fully equipped cardiothoracic facility in Tamale would offer specialist care and perform surgeries for patients with cardiovascular conditions. Pregnant women identified during home visits by nurses will be encouraged to attend antenatal care, and newborns will be monitored to ensure they are growing well and receiving vaccinations.
Health Minister Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh stated that the Government established the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to cover diseases not included in the NHIS, such as cardiovascular diseases.