Source: Ebenezer Madugu
The Ministry of Health will launch free primary healthcare across Ghana next month to improve access to basic services, Chief Director Alhaji Hafiz Adam has announced.
Speaking at the maiden TMG National Health Dialogue, he said the policy aims to ensure that every Ghanaian can receive care at nearby facilities without difficulty.
He explained that Ghana’s health system has improved over the years, moving from limited access during the colonial era to broader coverage today. He noted that the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme in 2003 helped reduce the financial burden on patients.
However, he said new challenges have emerged, especially the rise in non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, kidney failure, and cancer. These now account for a large share of illnesses in the country.
To address this, the government has introduced the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares,” to support treatment for chronic diseases not fully covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Alhaji Adam also revealed that new equipment has improved disease detection, reducing diagnosis time for conditions like tuberculosis from days to hours. He added that Ghana recently developed national guidelines for cancer treatment and is working towards establishing a national cancer registry.
He admitted that challenges remain, including funding gaps and pressure on major hospitals, but stressed that progress has been made.
Alhaji Adam commended Tobinco for organising the dialogue, describing it as a valuable platform to discuss solutions to Ghana’s health challenges.
