Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has announced that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative will begin in 150 underserved districts as the first stage of a gradual nationwide rollout, with the official launch scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Addressing the media at the Government Accountability Series, he said the policy will enable Ghanaians to access essential services at CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics at no cost. These services, he said, include routine screening for hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, as well as maternal and child healthcare, immunisation, and treatment of common illnesses such as malaria and respiratory infections.
While services at the primary level will be free, the Minister stressed that the NHIS remains crucial for referrals and specialised care at district, regional, and teaching hospitals.
He noted that the policy is designed to shift the country’s healthcare system from treatment to prevention by promoting early detection and expanding community outreach, adding that health workers will conduct home visits, school engagements, and public education campaigns to reach people who may not visit health facilities.
According to him, Government has also procured over 24,000 pieces of essential medical equipment, including incubators, diagnostic tools, hospital beds, and ultrasound machines, to strengthen service delivery at the primary level.
The initiative, which will be launched by His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, will be implemented in phases between 2026 and 2028, with nationwide coverage as the ultimate goal.
