Government Rolls Out Free Primary Healthcare with No Charges
Valid national ID required as policy targets early access and universal health coverage
The Government of Ghana has announced that citizens will not pay for services under its newly introduced Free Primary Health Care programme, with access requiring only a valid national identification card.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, made this known during a press engagement on Monday, April 13, stating that the initiative is aimed at removing financial barriers and encouraging early healthcare access nationwide.
He explained that all services under the programme including preventive, promotive, and curative care will be provided at no cost, stressing that proof of identity through a national ID is the only requirement.
The policy forms part of Ghana’s broader efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that citizens can access essential healthcare without financial strain. Ghana’s current UHC coverage stands at approximately 56 per cent, with a target of reaching 80 per cent by 2030.
Mr. Akandoh noted that despite interventions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS), many Ghanaians still incur out-of-pocket expenses, often delaying timely treatment.
The new initiative seeks to address this gap by offering free access to essential healthcare services at primary-level facilities, including CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics across the country.
Services under the programme will include routine screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers, alongside maternal and child healthcare, immunisations, and treatment for common illnesses like malaria and respiratory infections.
According to the minister, the policy represents a shift from a treatment-focused approach to one centred on prevention and early detection, noting that delayed care often results in more severe health complications and higher treatment costs.
Implementation will be carried out in phases between 2026 and 2028, beginning with 150 selected districts particularly underserved areas before expanding nationwide.
To support the rollout, the government has acquired over 24,000 medical items, including incubators, glucometers, hospital beds, and ultrasound machines, to enhance service delivery at the primary healthcare level.
The programme will also extend beyond health facilities through community outreach, home visits, and school-based health initiatives to reach individuals who may not actively seek medical care.
Mr. Akandoh added that while primary healthcare services will be free, efforts will be made to enrol uninsured individuals onto the NHIS to ensure access to higher-level care when necessary.
He encouraged the public to take advantage of the initiative by seeking early screening and treatment, emphasising that the policy is designed to reduce preventable diseases and improve overall health outcomes.
