President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyles, saying they contribute significantly to the country’s non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden.
Launching the Free Primary Healthcare Programme yesterday, President Mahama linked those health conditions to unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, advising the populace against physical inactivity and late-night heavy meals.
“Our fathers ate these foods but remained active on the farms. Today, many of us sit all day, drive everywhere and still expect to eat heavily without consequences,” he said.
Free Primary Healthcare
The Free Primary Healthcare Programme which will expand access to healthcare services across the country focuses on early detection and preventive treatment, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Under the new policy, basic health services, including screening for hypertension, diabetes and other conditions, will be provided free of charge at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, polyclinics and the newly introduced health kiosks.
Patients requiring advanced care will be referred to higher-level facilities where National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage will apply.
Preventive healthcare
Speaking at the launch at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital in the Greater Accra Region, the President described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening preventive healthcare to achieve universal health coverage.
“With the NHIS, you see patients only when they are sick. So it’s mostly curative. But one key aspect of free healthcare is that it is preventive. We identify illnesses and treat them early before they develop into something else,” he said.
President Mahama added that while primary-level services would be free, citizens were encouraged to maintain active NHIS membership for advanced care.
He said the new policy built on gains made under the NHIS, but sought to address existing gaps in access and preventive care.
“So, the free primary health care is complementary to the national health insurance. It’s not coming to replace it but to strengthen it,” President Mahama said.
The President announced the deployment of trained health volunteers, including national service personnel and unemployed nurses, who will conduct community outreach, screenings and public education.
These volunteers, he said, would be equipped with portable medical kits to deliver basic services directly to households and public spaces.
He also revealed plans to establish container-based “health kiosks” in underserved areas, as well as revive mobile health clinics to extend services to remote communities.
The launch brought together government officials, health officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, among others.
Lifestyle
He said the initiative was particularly timely, given the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Ghana, including hypertension, diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular conditions.
Success
President Mahama urged religious institutions and communities across the country to actively support the rollout of the new free primary healthcare policy.
President Mahama underscored the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring the success of the policy. “Every Ghanaian must be screened at least once a year,” he said.
He called on traditional and religious leaders to mobilise their communities to participate in routine health checks aimed at early detection of diseases.
President Mahama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a resilient and equitable healthcare system, stressing that the success of the policy would depend not only on government action but also on public participation.
Rollout
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, said the rollout of the policy would begin in phases, starting with 150 districts across the country.
He said as part of the first phase of the implementation, equipment would be distributed to 150 districts, and more than 350 container-based service delivery points will be established in high-traffic areas such as markets and lorry parks.
He credited the initiative to the leadership of President Mahama, highlighting key reforms such as the uncapping of the NHIS, which he said, had created the fiscal space needed to implement transformative health policies.
“Primary healthcare services within the defined package will now be free at the point of use, ensuring financial protection for all Ghanaians,” he said.
He explained that the policy would also encourage uninsured individuals to enrol onto the NHIS, enabling them to access higher levels of care at district, regional and tertiary health facilities.
Mr Akandoh further revealed that by 2030, the government aimed to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure to below 20 per cent, achieve over 95 per cent access to essential primary healthcare services and ease congestion at major hospitals.
He added that over 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment, such as incubators, glucometers, hospital beds and ultrasound machines, had been procured to support service delivery nationwide.
Mr Akandoh said the government planned to roll out digital health systems to enhance transparency and accountability, while deploying trained volunteers to support community health services.
The minister also announced intensified public education campaigns through community engagements and town hall meetings to ensure widespread awareness and participation.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh