The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has launched the government’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) Initiative in the Ahafo Region, describing it as a major step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage by ensuring that Ghanaians can access essential healthcare services without financial hardship.
The launch, held in Goaso in the Asunafo North Municipality, followed a similar rollout in the Western North Region a day earlier. The event also featured the presentation of medical equipment to health facilities across the Ahafo Region.
Addressing health professionals, traditional leaders and other stakeholders, the minister said the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares, are complementary interventions aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
According to him, treatment for ailments managed at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres and polyclinics will be provided free of charge, with the cost fully borne by the government.
He said the initiative is currently being implemented in an initial 150 districts nationwide and is expected to be expanded to cover the entire country by the end of 2028. He added that the programme places greater emphasis on disease prevention, early detection and community-based healthcare.
As part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery in the Ahafo Region, Mr. Akandoh announced that more than 252 health professionals have already been posted to the region, with an additional 30 expected to fill critical staffing gaps.
He appealed to traditional authorities, district assemblies and local communities to support newly posted health workers by creating a welcoming environment, adding that the government is developing both financial and non-financial incentive packages to improve staff retention.
The minister also announced plans to construct a regional hospital and a regional medical stores facility in the Ahafo Region by 2027.
Touching on the backlog of qualified but unemployed health professionals, which he estimated at about 100,000, Mr. Akandoh said the government is pursuing a three-pronged strategy to address the challenge.
According to him, the strategy includes facilitating the managed migration of nurses to work abroad, increasing recruitment into underserved communities and reviewing admission quotas in health training institutions.
He explained that although about 35,000 students graduate from health training institutions annually, the government is currently able to employ fewer than 16,000 health workers each year, making reforms necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
As part of his visit to the region, the minister toured the Amankwaakrom CHPS Compound and the Sankore Health Centre in the Asunafo South District, where he announced that both facilities would receive motorcycles, tricycles and additional medical equipment to enhance healthcare delivery and community outreach.
Mr. Akandoh also reiterated the government’s commitment to completing viable Agenda 111 health facilities and integrating them into the country’s broader healthcare expansion agenda.
He further urged the public to respect and protect frontline health workers, stressing that no individual has the right to assault or abuse healthcare professionals in the line of duty.
The launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to expand access to quality healthcare services and build a more resilient and equitable health system across the country.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
