Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore, Nana Ayew Afriye, has criticised the government’s Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) policy, alleging that it is largely a repackaged version of an existing initiative introduced under the previous administration.
The lawmaker has expressed concern over what he described as the “repackaging” of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Free Annual Health Check programme into the current Free Primary Healthcare policy being implemented by the National Health Insurance Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service.
According to him, the Free Annual Health Check initiative launched in August 2024 already provided preventive healthcare services such as blood pressure, blood sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings, alongside counselling and referrals for citizens aged 18 and above.
He argued that these same elements are prominently featured in the FPHC policy document without proper attribution to the original institutions and partners involved.
Afriye further claimed that the Ministry of Health failed to acknowledge key stakeholders, including the NHIA, the Ghana Health Service, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, private healthcare providers, as well as international partners like USAID and the World Bank, who contributed to the development and rollout of the earlier programme.
Citing portions of speeches delivered at the launch of the Free Annual Health Check initiative by former NHIA Chief Executive, Da-Costa Aboagye, the MP noted similarities between the objectives of that programme and those outlined in the new FPHC policy. Both, he said, emphasise early disease detection, reduced healthcare costs and improved quality of life through preventive care.
He also referenced remarks made on behalf of former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, which highlighted the programme’s focus on nationwide access to preventive services regardless of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) enrolment status.
The Effiduase/Asokore MP argued that sections of the FPHC policy particularly those detailing screening services and community outreach mirror existing primary healthcare strategies long implemented by the Ghana Health Service, dating back to global frameworks such as the Alma-Ata Declaration.
He questioned whether the Ministry of Health had adequately reviewed existing primary healthcare systems before introducing the new policy, suggesting that some provisions appear to “reinvent the wheel” rather than address gaps in service delivery.
On financing, Afriye raised concerns about the reported GH¢1.2 billion annual allocation for the FPHC programme.
He contrasted this with funding for the earlier Free Annual Health Check initiative, which he said was supported by approximately $5 million from USAID and $8 million from the World Bank, alongside additional allocations from the NHIA.
Describing the current programme as “politically motivated,” the MP called for greater transparency and accountability in its implementation, insisting that further scrutiny would be necessary to establish its true value and impact.
By 1960news.com
