All districts in the Upper East Region have been captured under the first phase of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced.
Mr Akandoh made the announcement when he engaged opinion leaders and communicators in the region as part of his monitoring visit to assess the implementation of the FPHC policy.
He said the programme was designed to ensure equitable access to essential healthcare services at the primary care level, regardless of residents’ location or economic status.
The Minister also assured stakeholders that government would ensure the equitable distribution of healthcare professionals across the region to prevent communities from being underserved because of staff shortages.
He urged opinion leaders and communicators to support public education and awareness efforts to ensure that residents understood the FPHC policy and took full advantage of the services available.
As part of the monitoring exercise, Mr Akandoh has also been visiting selected health facilities and communities to assess progress, engage health workers and identify challenges requiring immediate attention.
The Minister earlier paid a courtesy call on the Navro Pio, Pe Denis Aneakwoa Balinia Adda Asagpaare II, at his palace in Navrongo, where he briefed the traditional leader on the FPHC initiative and other government health interventions.
The Navro Pio urged residents within his traditional jurisdiction to take full advantage of the programme and actively participate in efforts to improve their health and wellbeing.
He commended the Minister for efforts to strengthen the health sector but called for urgent upgrades to the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital.
According to the traditional leader, the facility requires significant improvements to enable it to adequately meet the healthcare needs of the region’s growing population.
The Free Primary Healthcare programme is a key government initiative aimed at bringing essential healthcare services closer to communities, particularly at the primary healthcare level.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
