President John Dramani Mahama has launched a nationwide free primary healthcare programme aimed at expanding access to basic medical services and strengthening disease prevention, particularly in underserved communities.
The initiative, unveiled at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in Dodowa, is designed to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme by offering free screening and treatment at the community level while referring more complex cases to higher-tier facilities. Mahama said the program forms part of efforts to advance universal health coverage by shifting focus from treatment to prevention.
“We’ve been talking about universal health coverage. Every country is working to achieve universal health coverage. And universal health coverage is the situation where every citizen has access to quality, affordable care,” he said.
The president said the new system will prioritize early diagnosis through routine screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, which he described as a growing health burden.
“One key aspect of the free primary health care is preventing, to identify the illness and get early treatment before it develops into something else,” he said. Under the program, basic health services at community-based facilities, including Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centers and kiosks, will be provided free of charge without requiring an NHIS card at the point of care.
Patients requiring advanced treatment will be referred to district hospitals where services will be covered under the insurance scheme. The rollout will begin in 150 districts identified as having limited access to healthcare, with nationwide coverage expected by 2028, according to the president.
Mobile clinics and community health volunteers will support implementation, extending services to remote areas and improving outreach.
Mahama said the programme will also include public education campaigns focused on lifestyle changes to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases.
“And so one of the aspects of the free primary health care tool will be to educate people on what makes you successful to noncommunicable diseases. How to change your lifestyle,” he said.
The initiative introduces a tiered system linking free primary care with insurance-based secondary care and specialized funding for advanced treatment.
Prez Mahama cited dialysis as an example, noting that patients requiring specialized services would be supported through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares.”
“So the free primary health care complements the national health insurance. And so at that level, it’s free of charge,” he said.
The president also highlighted the role of existing facilities, including the Shai Osudoku District Hospital, which he said has achieved strong outcomes in maternal and infant care.
“And I’m happy to note that the hospital is still doing very well. It is one of the best-kept hospitals,” Mahama said.
The programme marks a renewed push to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system by integrating prevention, early detection and treatment into a coordinated national framework to ease pressure on hospitals and improve long-term health outcomes.
