Free primary healthcare to roll out by January 2026 – Akandoh
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that the government’s free primary healthcare initiative is expected to take off by January 2026.
Speaking at the 23rd Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Medical Superintendent’s Group in Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Eastern Region on Tuesday, October 14, the Minister said the move is aimed at giving real meaning to preventive healthcare, enabling early detection and effective management of diseases.
“As part of our journey towards universal health coverage, one of the major hindrances is cost. Although we have the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), many Ghanaians — especially from certain parts of the country — are not subscribers. Currently, only about 56 percent of the population is enrolled,” he said.
He explained that the free primary healthcare policy is being developed to remove cost barriers and improve access, especially for underserved communities.
“What the government is developing now is to ensure that at least primary healthcare is free across the country. This will allow us to strengthen preventive care so we can detect diseases early and manage them properly,” he added.
Mr. Akandoh also indicated that another key priority under the initiative will be the retooling of healthcare facilities across the country, as mentioned by the President in previous engagements.
