The World Health Organisation (WHO) has applauded President John Dramani Mahama for introducing the Free Primary Health Care programme, calling it a major move toward improving medical services and advancing Universal Health Coverage.
In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, April 16, WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised the policy and its potential to improve public health, stressing that robust primary healthcare systems are key to stopping illnesses before they escalate.
“This important milestone brings Ghana closer to achieving Universal Health Coverage. Strong primary health care is essential to improving population health, enabling earlier detection, timely treatment, and more effective disease prevention,” he said.
The Free Primary Health Care initiative is a core part of the Mahama administration’s promise to citizens, focusing heavily on widening access to essential medical services, especially in neglected communities.
In its initial phase, the programme will roll out across 150 under-resourced districts nationwide over the next two months, targeting groups that currently have little access to quality care.
The policy marks a deliberate move away from a system focused on treatment toward one built on prevention. It includes regular check-ups for non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cancers, along with maternal health services like pregnancy and post-birth care.
Furthermore, the programme offers vaccinations and full treatment for common illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections—conditions that remain major sources of sickness across much of the country.
Beyond clinical care, the initiative also emphasises health education, providing advice on birth control, menstrual hygiene, and clean water habits, as part of efforts to encourage lasting changes in behaviour and enhance overall health outcomes.
