Free Primary Health Care to reach all districts by 2028 – Health Minister

Ghana's Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced plans to expand the country's Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) program to all districts by the end of 2028. The initiative will begin with 150 out of the 261 districts, with priority given to underserved areas. To support the rollout, the government has acquired over 24,000 pieces of medical equipment to be distributed nationwide. Initially, around 9,000 kits will be deployed, with the Upper East Region receiving approximately 1,320 kits.

Speaking at a FPHC durbar in Bolgatanga East District, Akandoh emphasized that this marks a significant shift in Ghana's approach to healthcare financing. Rather than focusing solely on treating illnesses, the program will prioritize disease prevention, building upon the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, commonly known as MahamaCares.

The FPHC program will complement these existing interventions by providing services from Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds through health centres and polyclinics. Treatment for common conditions such as malaria, respiratory diseases, and diarrhoea will be covered at these facilities. However, it should be noted that the program is limited to the polyclinic level and will not cover treatment beyond that.

Akandoh encouraged citizens to enroll in the NHIS to ensure continuity of care for services beyond the primary healthcare level, and urged support from community leaders, traditional, and religious leaders. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund will provide additional support for conditions not adequately covered by the NHIS, particularly cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases.