Government has assured Ghanaians that there will be no cost associated with accessing services under its newly introduced Free Primary Health Care programme, with the only requirement being a valid national identification card.
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Akandoh, announced this at a press engagement on Monday, April 13, on the policy, emphasising that the initiative is designed to eliminate financial barriers and promote early access to healthcare across the country.
“It is important to emphasise that there will be no cost for the preventive and promotive as well as curative services within the Free Primary Health Care service package. The only thing you need is to show a valid National ID,” he stated.
The policy forms part of Ghana’s broader effort to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), ensuring that all citizens can access essential healthcare services without financial hardship. Currently, Ghana’s UHC service coverage stands at about 56 per cent, with a target of 80 per cent by 2030.
Mr Akandoh acknowledged that despite existing interventions such as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme, many Ghanaians still face out-of-pocket payments, which often delay timely access to care.
The new policy seeks to address this by guaranteeing free access to a defined package of essential services at the primary healthcare level, including CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics nationwide.
Under the programme, patients will receive routine screenings for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as maternal and child health services, immunisation, and treatment for common illnesses like malaria and respiratory infections.
The minister stressed that the initiative represents a shift from a treatment-focused system to one centred on prevention and early detection. He warned that delayed care often leads to more severe health complications, increasing both the cost and complexity of treatment.
Implementation of the policy will be phased between 2026 and 2028, starting with 150 selected districts, particularly underserved communities, before expanding nationwide.
To support the rollout, government has procured over 24,000 pieces of medical equipment, including incubators, glucometers, hospital beds, and ultrasound machines, to strengthen service delivery at the primary level.
Additionally, the policy will extend beyond health facilities through community outreach, home visits, and school-based health programmes to ensure broader coverage, especially for individuals who may not actively seek care.
Mr Akandoh further indicated that while the services at the primary level will be free, efforts will be made to enrol uninsured individuals onto the NHIS to enable access to higher levels of care when needed.
He urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the programme by seeking early screening and treatment, stressing that the policy is ultimately aimed at reducing preventable illnesses and improving overall health outcomes.
