The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has declared that the government’s initiative for free primary healthcare is anticipated to commence by January 2026.
During his address at the 23rd Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Medical Superintendent’s Group in Kwahu-Nkwatia, located in the Eastern Region, on Tuesday, October 14, the Minister stated that this initiative aims to provide substantial meaning to preventive healthcare, facilitating early detection and effective disease management.
“As we progress towards achieving universal health coverage, one of the significant obstacles we face is cost. While we have the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a considerable number of Ghanaians — particularly from specific regions — are not enrolled. Presently, only approximately 56 percent of the population is subscribed,” he remarked.
He elaborated that the free primary healthcare policy is being formulated to eliminate financial barriers and enhance accessibility, particularly for marginalized communities.
“The government is currently working on ensuring that primary healthcare is free nationwide. This initiative will enable us to bolster preventive care, allowing for early disease detection and proper management,” he further noted.
Mr. Akandoh also pointed out that another crucial focus of this initiative will be the upgrading of healthcare facilities throughout the country, as previously highlighted by the President in earlier discussions.
