Accra: Ghana is set to roll out a nationwide Free Primary Healthcare Policy (FHCP) by early April to improve access to basic health care for persons in remote and underserved communities. Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, who made this known at a stakeholder engagement in Accra on Friday, said the policy was part of a package of interlinked health sector reforms aimed at accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 'This policy is a key campaign pledge of President John Dramani Mahama and will allow Ghanaians and legally resident foreigners to access basic healthcare services without paying at the point of care,' he said.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Health Minister said the public would have to present a valid form of identification such as a Ghana Card, voter ID, or National Health Insurance card to access the service in all Primary Health Care facilities, including Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and health posts. The policy, which seeks to promote preventive healthcare, is being designed to address financial barriers that continue to prevent many people from seeking care early, and health check-ups especially at the community level.
Mr Akandoh stated that the free primary healthcare policy was being implemented alongside other major reforms, including the uncapping of NHIS funding and the introduction of 'Mahama Cares'. The Mahama Cares is a dedicated initiative aimed at supporting the treatment and management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. The Minister said under the policy free primary healthcare would cover an estimated 70-80 percent of the average Ghanaian's health needs, while the strengthened NHIS would support access to secondary and tertiary care.
He noted that Mahama Cares, in turn, was expected to cushion patients who face catastrophic health costs from chronic and life-threatening NCDs. To ensure an all-inclusive PHC policy, the government was undertaking extensive consultations before implementation to ensure broad-based support and smooth execution. 'So far, engagements have been held with professional bodies such as the Ghana Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, manufacturers, development partners, and the media,' he noted. Further consultations are planned with Parliament, transport unions, market associations, and traditional authorities.
'We want everyone to understand the policy, contribute ideas and take ownership,' Mr Akandoh said. He emphasized the policy's strong focus on prevention, especially in tackling unhealthy diets and lifestyles that drive the growing burden of NCDs. 'Community health nurses under the CHPS programme will intensify outreach to homes, markets, churches, mosques, and farms to promote healthy eating, routine medical check-ups, and early screening for conditions such as cancer and hypertension,' he said.
The Health Minister encouraged the public to adopt early health-seeking behavior saying, 'You don't have to be sick before you go to the health facility'. Mr Issac Ampomah, Vice Chair of the Greater Accra Coalition of NGOs in health, lauded the initiative. 'The policy has beautiful concepts, and we will engage the public on the policy to ensure its smooth implementation,' he said.