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Free Primary Healthcare Policy to begin in September - Health Minister
Free Primary Healthcare Policy to begin in September - Health Minister
By: Abigail | 4 mins read
Ghanaians, particularly the aged and vulnerable, will be eased of the burden of healthcare costs as the government’s Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) is poised to kick off in the next two months.
The Free Primary Healthcare Policy is Ghana’s bold initiative to ensure that every resident, especially vulnerable populations, can access essential health services without paying out-of-pocket at the point of care. The government is poised to officially roll out the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative on September 1, 2025. This forms part of the key steps adopted towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
The start date for the program implementation was announced by the Health Minister Kwabena Mintah during the Government Accountability Series press conference held at the Presidency in Accra on Friday, July 18.
“We are fully committed to making free primary health care a reality for every Ghanaian, breaking down barriers to essential services. The MahamaCares initiative is no longer just a promise—it is a lifeline growing stronger every day. Beginning September 1, 2025, we will roll out the Free Primary Healthcare Policy to ensure that every Ghanaian—especially the aged and vulnerable—can access essential health services without paying out-of-pocket.”
Mr Akandoh highlighted the government’s dedication to removing all barriers limiting Ghanaians' access to essential, basic healthcare services. He emphasized that “the MahamaCares initiative is no longer just a promise—it is a lifeline growing stronger every day.”
“We are fully committed to making free primary health care a reality for every Ghanaian, breaking down barriers to essential services.” Ahead of ensuring the timely roll-out of the programme, Mr Akandoh revealed that discussions and deliberations are currently underway to finalise the implementation framework and address any logistical or financial concerns.
“We are engaging with relevant stakeholders to design, finalise, implement, and monitor the programme. Looking ahead, this initiative has the potential to transform primary healthcare access in Ghana, ensuring that quality services are delivered equitably and sustainably across all communities,” he continued.
In a related development, Senior Director in charge of special initiatives at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), who serves as the FPHC focal person, Dr. Anthony Gingong, pledged his outfit’s commitment to support the successful rollout and sustainability of the FPHC at a Technical Committee meeting held in Accra yesterday, Thursday, July 24.
“We are fully committed to supporting the successful rollout and long-term sustainability of the Free Primary Healthcare Policy. Our technical teams are working tirelessly to ensure that every Ghanaian can access essential health services without financial barriers,” he expressed.
He threw light on the respective eight specialized subcommittees set up to shape Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare Policy framework. The committees include the Service Package and Delivery Models, Community Engagement and Communication, Financing and Sustainability, Strategic Purchasing and Health System Efficiency, Human Resources and Capacity Building, Governance, Accountability, Legal and Regulatory Framework, Digital Health, Data, and Performance Monitoring, and Pharmaceutical Value Chain and Supplies.
These committees have been tasked to ensure that the policy is technically sound, community-driven, financially sustainable, and legally enforceable. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, NHIA, Ghana Health Service, WHO, and other partners to finalise implementation strategies ahead of the September 1 rollout.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and Results for Development (R4D).
Dr. Chris Atim, Senior Technical Advisor to the Chief Executive of the NHIA, underscored the need for alignment on the principles and modules underpinning the policy. “Today is about learning the delivery mechanisms for free primary healthcare because there is a need for alignment for us. We need alignment on the principles and the modules itself on what it contains and what we are going to roll out come 1st September 2025,” he said, noting that all services at the CHPS level will be free under the policy.
He added that setting up primary care networks across the country would be a priority. Dr. Koku Awoonor, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Health, said the meeting’s outcome would shape a blueprint to guide the national rollout.
“The outcome of this meeting is going to guide the technical committee to be able to come out with a pathway for which Free Primary Healthcare will follow. There are a lot of communities that are deprived and disadvantaged, and they need health services,” he stressed.
He also emphasised the importance of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in strengthening service delivery at the frontline. During her presentation, Elizabeth Hammah, Associate Director of the Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator project at R4D, explained that the original intent of primary care networks was to support health financing reforms that enable CHPS facilities to function effectively.
“Primary Care Networks bring facilities together so that they can deliver a broader package of services with a shared, patient-focused system of delivery,” she noted.
PCNs were set up as pilot programs between 2017 and 2019 in the Volta Region and later launched officially in 2023, with implementation research launched to evaluate their rollout across 34 districts nationwide. Mr. Robert Adatsi, former Head of Clinical Services at the Volta Regional Directorate of GHS, outlined a phased approach to forming Primary Care Networks.
“Phase one is sensitization—adequately informing healthcare providers, managers, and staff about the reasons and potential benefits the network will bring,” he said. Dr. Alphonse Makafui Dzakpasu, Acting Director for Clinical Services of GHS in Ho, recounted the improvements seen under primary care networks.
“There were challenges such as a poor referral system and unhealthy competition among health workers. The networks have helped to improve referral systems and overall healthcare delivery,” he explained. In her closing remarks, Dr. Caroline Reindorf Amissah, Acting Deputy Director General of GHS, called for a stronger focus on preventive and promotive care.
