Accra: Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, has said Ghana's health system is shifting from 'sick care' to prevention, with a new plan that takes health professionals from hospitals into homes and communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister declared 'Prevention is better than cure' during engagements at the Volta Regional launch of the government's Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme. He highlighted the importance of early detection by moving health professionals from house to house, village to village, and town to town.
The FPHC policy, launched by President John Mahama in April, aims to advance universal health coverage in Ghana by removing financial barriers to essential primary health services while strengthening preventive, promotive, and basic curative care. This programme is currently being rolled out in 150 underserved districts, with plans for nationwide expansion by 2027. Health workers will conduct basic health checks, targeting conditions like hypertension and diabetes, which often go undetected until they progress to complicated stages.
Mr Akandoh stated that over GHS500 million in medical equipment has been procured to support the initiative, including tricycles and motorbikes to facilitate movement between communities. He encouraged citizens to subscribe to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for a comprehensive service package, clarifying that FPHC complements rather than replaces the NHIS.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) also complements FPHC and NHIS by addressing the financing gap for high-cost, specialised treatments. The Health Minister urged regional ministers and district chief executives to take ownership of the programme to ensure effective implementation at the local level.
Dr Caroline Amissah Reindorf, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, noted that training programmes, funding allocations, and personnel integration have commenced to make these healthcare initiatives a reality. She described FPHC as a large-scale programme aimed at improving access, prevention, and quality care across Ghanaian communities.
Dr Peter Yeboah, Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana, expressed support for the FPHC, citing its role in promoting social protection, solidarity, and high-quality healthcare. Dr Senanu Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, pledged full support for the FPHC programme to ensure all citizens can access quality healthcare services without financial hardship.