Free Primary Healthcare: 4,574 Facilities Now Providing Services Nationwide

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has disclosed that 4,574 health facilities across Ghana are currently providing services under the government’s Free Primary Health Care programme.

The initiative, which is being rolled out in phases, is currently operational in 135 of the country’s 216 districts, with all 16 regions represented in the first phase.

Speaking on Monday, September 7, the Health Minister said the government had deliberately prioritised deprived districts to ensure that communities with the greatest healthcare needs benefit from the programme first.

He cited the Upper West, Upper East, Oti and Western North regions among the areas where the initiative has commenced, noting that the government’s ultimate objective is to achieve nationwide coverage by the end of 2027.

“We have 135 districts out of the 216, and they are all in the 16 regions. So in every region, we have selected the deprived district to be part of the first phase,” Akandoh said.

According to the Minister, the 4,574 participating facilities comprise 3,781 Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, 746 health centres and 48 polyclinics, in addition to other facilities enrolled in the programme.

He explained that the initiative extends beyond government-owned facilities, with institutions operated by the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission also participating.

“We’re not leaving anybody behind,” Akandoh stressed, highlighting the government’s commitment to expanding access to essential healthcare services, particularly for underserved communities.

The Free Primary Health Care programme is designed to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare, improve access to essential services and strengthen preventive healthcare.

The government also hopes that the initiative will help shift the country’s healthcare system from a predominantly curative approach towards greater emphasis on disease prevention, early intervention and community-based care.

With implementation already underway in 135 districts, the government says the programme will continue to expand until free primary healthcare is accessible to communities across all 216 districts by the end of 2027.