The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Central Region to take full ownership of the government’s Free Primary Health Care programme to ensure its successful implementation across their respective districts.
Speaking at the official launch of the initiative in the Central Region, the Minister described the policy as one of the government’s flagship healthcare interventions aimed at expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare services for Ghanaians, particularly residents in underserved and vulnerable communities.
According to him, the Free Primary Health Care programme is a long-term national policy designed to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system and reduce the financial burden associated with accessing basic medical care.
Hon. Akandoh assured stakeholders that the government has put in place the necessary logistics, medical equipment and human resources needed for the smooth rollout of the programme nationwide.
He explained that the initiative would be implemented through Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, polyclinics and other primary healthcare facilities across the country.
The Health Minister therefore urged MMDCEs to closely monitor activities at healthcare facilities within their jurisdictions and provide the needed support to healthcare workers to guarantee effective service delivery.
“The Free Primary Health Care programme belongs to all of us. I want every MMDCE to see it as their own project and work tirelessly to ensure that the people in their districts benefit from it,” he stressed.
Hon. Akandoh further disclosed that government is taking steps to strengthen the country’s healthcare workforce through the recruitment of additional health professionals.
He announced that a new recruitment portal would soon be opened to allow graduate nurses, doctors and other trained health professionals to apply for employment into the Ghana Health Service.
Touching on the scope of the programme, the Minister stated that the Free Primary Health Care initiative would cover the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and medical conditions such as malaria, diarrhoea, anaemia, hypertension, respiratory infections and several other basic health conditions that continue to affect many Ghanaians.
He noted that the intervention is expected to significantly ease the economic pressure on families seeking primary healthcare services while improving healthcare outcomes and promoting early treatment of illnesses.
The Minister also encouraged the public to actively embrace and participate in the programme, stressing that improved healthcare delivery remains critical to national development and productivity.
During an interaction with the MMDCEs after the launch, Hon. Akandoh urged them to serve as ambassadors of government policies by educating residents on the benefits of the Free Primary Health Care initiative and other developmental interventions being implemented across the country.
He further assured the public that government remains committed to addressing the numerous challenges confronting the health sector, including infrastructure deficits, inadequate logistics and staffing concerns.
“We are determined to improve healthcare delivery in every part of Ghana and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all citizens regardless of their location or economic status,” the Minister assured.
The launch ceremony brought together health officials, traditional leaders, MMDCEs, political authorities and key stakeholders in the health sector, all of whom pledged their support towards the successful implementation of the Free Primary Health Care policy in the Central Region.
Story by Yaw Boagyan
