The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has commended President John Dramani Mahama for the official rollout of the Free Primary Health Care initiative.
Writing on the social media platform X on Thursday, 16 April 2026, Dr Tedros described the programme as a vital advancement in strengthening healthcare delivery and accelerating the nation’s progress towards universal health coverage.
He emphasised that robust primary healthcare systems are the cornerstone of effective disease prevention and early intervention.
Within his commendation, Dr Tedros noted that such initiatives are foundational to sustainable public health, stating, “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.”
The Free Primary Health Care initiative was formally launched by President Mahama on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, with the primary objective of expanding access to essential services, particularly for those living in underserved communities.
The first phase of the programme is set for implementation across 150 districts nationwide over the coming two months, specifically targeting populations that have historically faced barriers to accessing quality medical care.
It incorporates routine screenings for non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and various cancers.
Additionally, the initiative prioritises maternal health by ensuring comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care services are readily available.
Aside from the screening and maternal support, the government will provide full immunisation coverage and complete treatment for common yet serious conditions such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections, which continue to be leading causes of morbidity across the country.
To ensure the long-term success of these clinical interventions, the programme also integrates a robust health education component.
This includes professional counselling on family planning, menstrual hygiene, and safe water practices, all intended to foster positive behavioural changes and enhance overall public health outcomes.
