Ghana’s Ministry of Health has announced that the Minister for Health, Honourable Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, will meet all media houses on Monday at 11:00am ahead of the nationwide rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme scheduled for April 15.
The announcement, published through the official communication platforms of the Ministry of Health Ghana, states that the briefing will focus on discussions of the Free Healthcare Delivery programme dubbed, “Free Primary Healthcare: Removing Financial Barrier toward Achieving Universal Health Coverage.”
The engagement is part of final coordination activities ahead of the launch of a policy designed to remove out-of-pocket payments for primary healthcare services at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds and selected clinics.
The Free Primary Healthcare Programme is being introduced as part of government efforts to expand access to essential health services at the community level. According to information from the Ministry, the initiative is backed by GH¢1.15 billion allocated in the 2026 national budget.
This comes as government prioritises the healthcare system. The funding is intended to support service delivery, logistics, staffing needs, and essential medical supplies required for implementation across participating facilities.
Officials say the programme is positioned to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and reduce financial barriers that often delay treatment. It also forms part of an effort to improve early detection and management of common illnesses before they escalate to higher-level facilities.
Preparations are ongoing across health facilities identified for the rollout. These include coordination between regional and district health directorates, distribution of essential medicines, and readiness assessments at CHPS compounds and clinics expected to participate in the programme.
Administrative adjustments are also underway to align patient flow systems with the new policy framework. The programme builds on Ghana’s existing healthcare architecture, particularly the National Health Insurance Scheme, which has served as a key mechanism for improving access to healthcare since its introduction in 2003.
While the insurance system expanded coverage, gaps in affordability and access at the primary level have persisted, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The new policy is designed to address these gaps by focusing directly on first-contact care.
Implementation Coordination
Under the programme, patients are expected to access basic health services at participating facilities without paying at the point of service. Implementation is being coordinated with the Ghana Health Service, which is responsible for service delivery across public health facilities.
The Service is working alongside the Ministry to ensure that staffing levels, supply chains, and facility readiness meet the requirements of the rollout.
President John Dramani Mahama has also referenced the Free Primary Healthcare Programme as part of government priorities aimed at strengthening access to essential services.
Speaking at a presidential dialogue, he explained that this initiative seeks to strengthen the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and implement apprenticeship programmes for the youth.
Ghana Outlines Rollout Plan for Free Primary Healthcare
The Free Primary Healthcare Programme is expected to cover a range of services delivered at the primary level. These include general outpatient consultations, maternal and child health services, basic diagnostic services, and treatment of common illnesses.
Services will be provided through designated CHPS compounds and selected clinics without direct payment at the point of care. Ministry officials have indicated that the programme will operate within existing health system structures while expanding access at the entry point of care.
This approach is intended to ensure continuity with current service delivery models while increasing utilization of primary healthcare services.
Facility participation is expected to be phased, with CHPS compounds playing a central role in delivering services at the community level. District and regional health authorities will oversee coordination, ensuring that resources and personnel are distributed according to operational needs.
Furthermore, the Ministry has confirmed its readiness for programme. The Spokesperson for the Ministry, Tony Goodman, disclosed that all key preparatory work for implementing the policy has been completed.
He explained that the Ministry has established the required systems and arrangements to support a smooth rollout of the initiative, which is expected to improve access to basic healthcare services nationwide.
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