{
  "id": 6943346,
  "title": "Gov’t to establish health kiosks at markets, lorry stations — President Mahama",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/govt-to-establish-health-kiosks-at-markets-lorry-stations-president",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-12T15:04:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/govt-to-establish-health-kiosks-at-markets-lorry-stations-president-mahama/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The government plans to set up health kiosks at markets and lorry stations to make basic healthcare more accessible to traders, commuters, and commercial drivers. At a durbar in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District, President John Mahama announced this initiative as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region. These kiosks will offer outpatient services, such as health screenings and consultations, and will be connected digitally to district hospitals to allow for telemedicine consultations.\n\nThe Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) will partner with the government to establish some of these kiosks at lorry stations. President Mahama highlighted that the initiative would particularly benefit commercial drivers by screening them for conditions like hypertension and other non-communicable diseases that might otherwise go unnoticed. He emphasized that an untreated health issue could endanger the driver, passengers, and other road users.\n\nPresident Mahama urged Ghanaians to undergo regular health screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar, stating that early detection could prevent serious illness and reduce treatment costs. These health kiosks are part of the government's broader Free Primary Healthcare program, which currently operates in 135 districts, with the remaining 15 expected to be covered by the end of the year. The government aims to extend the program to all 261 districts by the end of 2028.\n\nThe program is designed to reach individuals who seldom visit health facilities due to distance or other barriers. For instance, a doctor involved in the program shared a case of an elderly man who had not visited a healthcare facility for 54 years. Many people in these communities rely on herbal remedies or endure illnesses because healthcare is too far away.\n\nUnder the Free Primary Healthcare program, health workers will visit homes to screen residents and provide basic services. Over 25,000 pieces of medical equipment have already been distributed to support this initiative, with an additional 12,000 on the way. The government is also providing motorcycles, tricycles, and diagnostic kits to enable health workers to reach communities and conduct home-based screenings.\n\nPresident Mahama stressed that the focus is on preventing illnesses through early detection and promoting healthier lifestyles, rather than just treating them. Bringing healthcare to markets, transport terminals, and homes will help ensure people receive medical attention before minor conditions escalate into serious and costly health issues.",
  "summary": "Government is to establish health kiosks at markets and lorry stations as part of efforts to bring basic healthcare closer to traders, commuters and commercial drivers. President John Mahama announced the initiative during a durbar in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour of the Upper West Region. He said the […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Government to establish health kiosks at markets and lorry stations.",
    "President John Mahama announced initiative during Upper West Region tour.",
    "Kiosks will offer outpatient services and telemedicine consultations."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Mahama: 24-Hour Markets will boost economic activity across districts",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/mahama-24-hour-markets-will-boost-economic-activity-across-districts",
        "published": "2026-09-12T15:39:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}