The minister for health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced the rollout of the Free Primary Health Care Programme across 150 underserved districts, signalling a major shift in the nation’s medical landscape.
Over the next two months, Ghanaians are expected to witness the first tangible phases of this transformation as the government moves to decentralise essential medical services.
To ensure the programme’s immediate efficacy, the Ministry has confirmed that essential health equipment will be distributed to all participating districts within this initial phase.
This logistical push aims to equip local facilities with the tools necessary to handle a surge in patient needs. However, the strategy extends beyond clinical walls.
A nationwide community sensitisation campaign involving town hall meetings and direct public engagements is set to begin, ensuring citizens are fully informed of the new services available to them, he said while taking his turn at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 13, 2026.
In a bid to increase the existing medical workforce, a dedicated cohort of trained volunteers will be deployed to support community health teams.
This personnel boost is designed to facilitate a more proactive approach to public health. Rather than waiting for patients to visit traditional clinics, health workers and volunteers will conduct screenings and educational outreach within homes, schools, churches, and workplaces.
The programme also addresses accessibility in urban hubs through the installation of over 350 container-based service delivery points.
These mobile units will be strategically positioned in high-traffic areas, including busy markets and lorry parks, to provide convenient care for traders and commuters.
He further explained that the programme introduces a tiered approach to wellness, starting at the local level through Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, or polyclinics, with care delivered via walk-in consultations, community outreach, and home visits.
A key feature is mandatory routine screening for underlying conditions and a ‘reverse referral’ system to ensure continuous care and monitoring.
The programme seeks to create a seamless, people-centred system focused on the patient beyond immediate treatment.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
