South Dayi launches free primary health care initiative to expand access to healthcare

The South Dayi District has officially launched the government's Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative, marking a significant step towards reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs and improving access to essential health services at the community level.

The launch, held at the forecourt of the South Dayi District Assembly, positions the district among the first 150 underserved districts nationwide selected to benefit from Phase One of President John Dramani Mahama's flagship health reform programme.

The event was led by the South Dayi District Chief Executive, Mr. Courage Kwame Kokroko, in collaboration with the District Director of Health, Mr. Kolog Timbire Jonas.

According to a statement obtained by Modern Ghana News, the initiative represents a major shift from treatment-focused healthcare to preventive and community-based health delivery.

The statement was jointly issued by Mr. Jonas Anyadi, NDC Constituency Communications Officer, and Mr. Emmanuel Amoah, Deputy Constituency Communications Officer.

Addressing participants, Mr. Kokroko described the programme as a transformative intervention designed to ensure equitable access to basic healthcare services.

“The FPHC is not just a policy on paper. It is a commitment that every Ghanaian in South Dayi, whether in Kpeve, Peki, or our remotest community, can walk into a health facility and access basic care without reaching into their pocket,” he said.

Chairing the event, the Paramount Chief of the Peki Traditional Area, Deiga Kodzo Dei XII, endorsed the initiative and urged residents to embrace preventive healthcare practices as a shared responsibility.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Emmanuel Atsu Dodor, described the programme as a flagship government intervention and called for collective support to ensure its success.

He subsequently declared the South Dayi chapter of the Free Primary Health Care programme officially launched.

Mr. Kolog Timbire Jonas outlined the scope of the initiative, explaining that beneficiaries would not be required to present a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card to access primary healthcare services. Instead, a Ghana Card or any valid identification confirming Ghanaian nationality and residency would suffice.

He said the programme covers routine screening for hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers, as well as maternal and child healthcare services, immunisation, and treatment for malaria and respiratory infections.

“Every Ghanaian is entitled to at least one comprehensive basic health screening annually,” he stated.

Under Phase One, healthcare services will be delivered through Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, community health kiosks, health centres, and designated units within polyclinics.

Mr. Timbire Jonas added that outreach teams and trained volunteers would extend services through home visits and community engagements in schools, markets, and lorry parks.

The government has uncapped National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) funding for the programme, redirecting approximately GH¢1.2 billion annually from existing NHIS resources to finance primary healthcare services without introducing new levies or requiring out-of-pocket payments.

Officials emphasised that the initiative complements rather than replaces the NHIS, noting that active NHIS membership remains necessary for referrals, specialised treatment, and advanced hospital care.

They also disclosed that logistics support, including tricycle ambulances, motorbikes, and equipment for community outreach, has been approved for deployment under the first phase of the programme.

The Volta Regional Director of the NHIA, Madam Susan Chobah, commended the government for introducing the initiative and encouraged residents to enrol on the NHIS and renew their membership cards.

“FPHC is here to stay, but its treatment limits mean the NHIS is still your gateway to advanced care,” she said.

The Member of Parliament for South Dayi and Majority Chief Whip, Mr. Rockson Nelson Kwami Etse Dafeamekpor, was recognised for his advocacy and support for development initiatives in the district, particularly within the health sector.

The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiama, was also acknowledged for his contributions to healthcare development, while the Volta Regional Minister and Dean of Regional Ministers, Mr. James Gunu, was commended for his leadership role in the region.

Recognition was further extended to the South Dayi District Assembly management, led by Mr. John Kennedy Cobbah, for coordinating the implementation of the programme.

The event concluded with live demonstrations of FPHC services, including health screening and basic treatment procedures that will be rolled out across communities in the district.

With South Dayi now among the first districts implementing the initiative, stakeholders believe the programme will help reduce pressure on higher-level health facilities while improving access to preventive healthcare services for residents.

For many residents, the launch represents more than the introduction of a new policy. It is a long-term intervention aimed at improving health outcomes and ensuring that access to basic healthcare is no longer determined by an individual's ability to pay.

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