Why Ghana's new primary healthcare programme is a game-changer – NIA boss details

Ghana is set to take a major step toward transforming its healthcare system with the launch of a free primary healthcare initiative.

President John Dramani Mahama will launch the programme, which aims to bring healthcare directly to communities while easing the financial burden on citizens.

Speaking ahead of the rollout, NHIA Chief Executive Dr Victor Asare Bampoe described the initiative as a move towards achieving universal health coverage.

"The primary health care initiative being launched next week by President John Dramani Mahama is truly a game changer. It is one of the key promises he made

before assuming office.

"This programme will bring health care directly to the doorstep of Ghanaians.

It also marks a major step toward achieving universal health coverage in the

country,” he noted.

Ghana to roll out free primary healthcare nationwide next month – MoH

Dr Bampoe further noted that, unlike the traditional healthcare model, where patients visit hospitals only after falling ill, the new approach prioritises prevention and early detection.

According to him, health workers will actively move into communities to conduct routine screenings, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, to identify potential health risks before they become severe.

“This time, health workers will not sit in hospitals waiting for patients. They will go into communities to check blood pressure, sugar levels, and other indicators. The focus is on prevention and early detection. That way, we can identify health challenges early and respond much faster,” he remarked.

This proactive model is expected to significantly reduce the burden of chronic diseases, which continue to rise in Ghana.

Dr Bampoe noted that chronic diseases account for a significant proportion of deaths in the country, underscoring the urgent need for early intervention.

“Many chronic diseases start silently without people even knowing. Currently, about 42 percent of all deaths in Ghana are linked to these conditions. If we detect them early, fewer people will progress to severe illness; this will significantly improve health outcomes across the country,” Dr Bampoe said.

Beyond improving health outcomes, he indicated that the initiative is also expected to ease the financial strain on both individuals and the national healthcare system.

"Chronic diseases are costly to manage and treat, but when we detect conditions early, we can handle them at a much lower cost. This initiative will help reduce the financial burden on both individuals and the system. In the long run, it will make Ghana’s health care system more sustainable,” he said.

Dr Bampoe acknowledged that while the programme may not begin with all systems fully in place, the focus is on taking decisive steps and improving along the way.

"We may not have everything in place at the start, but we must begin. The commitment is there to build and improve as we move forward. What matters is taking the first step and staying the course," he added.

The official rollout is scheduled for April 15, 2026, targeting community-based care to reduce the burden on higher-level hospitals.

The programme focuses on early disease detection and prevention, including screening for diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, especially in rural areas.

Services will be delivered at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, community health kiosks, public health units within polyclinics, and selected Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) facilities.

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