The Northern Region has joined the national rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare Policy, with Regional Minister Ali Adolf John calling for a stronger community-based health system capable of delivering quality care closer to residents.
Launching the policy at the 2026 Regional Health Sector Mid-Year Performance Review in Tamale on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Mr Adolf said the initiative must shift healthcare delivery from a largely hospital-centred and curative approach to one focused on prevention, early detection and accessible primary care.
The policy is being rolled out in phases, beginning with underserved districts, with nationwide coverage targeted between 2026 and 2028. It provides essential primary healthcare services at no cost at CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics, including screening for hypertension, diabetes and some cancers, maternal and child healthcare, immunisation and treatment of common illnesses.
The Minister said 14 municipalities and districts in the Northern Region had been selected for the first phase, with funds transferred to the implementing districts and essential medical equipment being distributed to selected service delivery points.
He directed health managers to ensure that resources provided under the programme were used efficiently and transparently, while strengthening monitoring and accountability to ensure that the intended beneficiaries received the services.
Mr Adolf said the policy was particularly significant for the Northern Region, where geographical and socio-economic challenges could limit access to healthcare.
He therefore called for CHPS compounds, health centres and other primary-level facilities to be adequately resourced to deliver responsive and quality services to communities.
The Minister also disclosed plans to establish about 10 health kiosks at strategic locations, particularly in highly populated areas, to complement existing health infrastructure and bring basic services closer to residents.
He further urged health authorities to prioritise maternal and newborn health, child health, immunisation, malaria control, disease surveillance, non-communicable diseases, health commodities, referral systems, emergency care and the quality of services at health facilities.
On healthcare financing, Mr Adolf highlighted the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, as a government intervention aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients with chronic and debilitating diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease and stroke.
He also stressed the need for proper maintenance of medical equipment, warning that investment in health infrastructure could be undermined if facilities were not adequately equipped and maintained.
According to him, more than 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment had been procured for distribution nationwide. He called for a shift from waiting for equipment to break down to preventive maintenance, timely repairs and proper utilisation.
Mr Adolf said the broader government health agenda also included strengthening local pharmaceutical and vaccine production, disease surveillance, immunisation, health infrastructure and the health workforce.
He cautioned that the success of the Free Primary Healthcare Policy would depend on effective implementation beyond the launch, insisting that free healthcare must also be quality healthcare.
“Every citizen who enters a health facility deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and professionalism,” he said.
Mr Adolf subsequently declared the policy officially launched in the Northern Region, expressing confidence that it would improve access to healthcare and contribute to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
The mid-year health sector review brought together health managers, frontline health workers, development partners, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to assess the sector’s performance during the first half of 2026 and identify priorities for the remainder of the year.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
