Government to fully fund primary healthcare under new free healthcare policy

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that government will fully cover the cost of primary healthcare services under a new flagship initiative aimed at improving access and strengthening preventive health delivery nationwide.

The policy, dubbed the Free Primary Health Care initiative, is designed to eliminate financial barriers to basic healthcare while shifting greater focus toward prevention, health promotion, and community-based interventions.

It is expected to significantly widen access to essential medical services across the country, particularly at the primary care level.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Health Minister explained that the programme guarantees universal access to a defined package of essential healthcare services without any direct payment at the point of service.

He said the initiative will apply to Community-based Health Planning and Services compounds, health centres and polyclinics nationwide.

“The Free Primary Health Care is a government policy that will ensure that every Ghanaian can have access to a defined package of essential healthcare services free of charge at the primary health care level.

“This applies to CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics across the country. Beyond this point, we will have a more structured approach to disease prevention and health promotion by moving into our communities and households with these services.

“I want to emphasise that there will be no cost to preventive, promotive, as well as curative services within the primary healthcare services package,” he stated.

Mr Akandoh added that beneficiaries will only be required to present a valid national identification card as proof of Ghanaian citizenship to access the services.

“The only thing you need is to show a valid ID card as a Ghanaian,” he said.

He further explained that the policy will be integrated with the National Health Insurance Scheme, National Health Insurance Authority, to help enrol individuals who are not yet covered.

“We will also use this opportunity to enrol people who are not insured onto the National Health Insurance Scheme,” he added.

The Free Primary Health Care programme is expected to be officially launched on April 15, 2026.