Free Primary Healthcare expands to 135 districts as gov’t targets nationwide coverage by 2027

The Ghanaian government has recently expanded its Free Primary Healthcare programme to cover 135 districts, with 150 districts targeted by the end of 2026 and nationwide coverage by the end of 2027. Launched by President John Mahama in April, the initiative aims to bring essential healthcare and preventive services directly to communities, with priority given to deprived areas in the initial phase. As of now, the programme operates in over half of Ghana’s 216 districts, according to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.

In a media statement, Akandoh highlighted that free primary healthcare is now accessible in 135 out of the 216 districts across Ghana. The government initially targeted 150 districts for the first phase and remains committed to achieving this goal before the year's end. The programme is delivered through 4,574 health facilities nationwide, ensuring communities have access to basic healthcare services closer to their homes.

A crucial aspect of the programme is its emphasis on preventive healthcare and house-to-house visits, which aim to identify health concerns early and encourage early care-seeking behavior. To support these efforts, the government has received about 5,000 bags of healthcare kits containing essential equipment for community visits by health workers.

However, the Health Minister has cautioned health workers against charging beneficiaries for services covered under the Free Primary Healthcare programme. Any violation could result in sanctions, and the government has provided a short code or telephone number for beneficiaries to report such incidents. Sanctions may include suspension for health workers found to have breached the rules.

In addition to expansion, the government plans to recruit additional health professionals on a voluntary basis to support the permanent staff delivering the programme. The voluntary recruitment aims to address recruitment backlogs and provide temporary assistance to existing health workers. Those recruited under this arrangement will receive priority consideration when the government undertakes a major permanent recruitment exercise.