{
  "id": 6944837,
  "title": "Free Primary Healthcare targets most deprived districts – GHS Director General",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/free-primary-healthcare-targets-most-deprived-districts-ghs-director",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T15:20:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/free-primary-healthcare-targets-most-deprived-districts-ghs-director-general/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has clarified that the selection of districts for the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme is not influenced by political considerations. Instead, it is based on indicators such as hospital availability, maternal mortality rates, school enrolment, and the distance residents need to travel to access healthcare services. Speaking at the 33rd Annual General Conference of District Directors of Health Group (DDH-G), Dr. Akoriyea emphasized that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has already identified deprived districts through established assessments. He highlighted the Afram Plains as an example where geographical barriers can significantly impact access to healthcare. Dr. Akoriyea stressed that communities facing such challenges should be prioritized in the FPHC efforts. He challenged the notion that health outcomes are solely determined by the severity of diseases, arguing that access to adequate healthcare facilities and personnel plays a crucial role. He cited an example where a malaria patient in northern Ghana is more likely to die than one in Accra due to a lack of hospitals, doctors, and nurses in the northern region. Dr. Akoriyea urged health managers to collaborate in implementing the FPHC policy and stressed that the responsibility lies with all involved. He also directed district directors to identify competent officers to lead implementation at the local level, focusing on competence rather than job titles. The DG emphasized that frontline health workers, including community health nurses and officers, should not be taken over by senior managers, as their role is to be supported by these workers. Dr. Akoriyea expressed confidence in the FPHC's success if health workers remain committed to their responsibilities, believing that it will improve healthcare delivery and create a lasting legacy for the sector.",
  "summary": "The Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, says the selection of districts for the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme is based on levels of deprivation, access to health services and not political considerations.",
  "key_points": [
    "Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) program targets deprived districts, not political considerations.",
    "Afram Plains example highlights geographical barriers impacting healthcare access."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}