The Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has welcomed the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, describing it as a laudable programme.
The Regional Chairman, John Tosenu Mensah, stated that if the initiative is well implemented, it will make healthcare significantly more accessible, especially for those living in deprived communities.
President John Dramani Mahama officially launched the programme on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, noting that the scheme forms part of broader efforts to achieve universal health coverage. Speaking at the launch held at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, the President explained that the initiative is designed to complement existing healthcare interventions and close critical gaps in service delivery.
Mr Mahama added that although Ghana has made significant strides through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), many individuals and communities remain inadequately covered.
Commenting on the development during the Nyankonton Mu Nsem programme on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr Mensah stated that the policy will enhance access to essential health services at the primary level and strengthen the country’s overall healthcare system. He remarked that the association feels particularly proud of the timing, as the launch coincides with International Day for Medical Laboratory Scientists.
However, he was quick to emphasize that the government must ensure the programme’s long-term sustainability. He proposed that the policy must be backed by a realistic and sustainable financing mechanism, urging the government to ensure that the initiative functions smoothly rather than becoming a mere “jamboree” or empty rhetoric.
Furthermore, he underscored the necessity for the government to provide all essential logistics, including modern equipment for laboratory technicians.
Mr Mensah concluded by noting that beyond financial sustainability and logistics, a greater number of professionals must be deployed to work as laboratory scientists to meet the demands of the new policy.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
