Ghana launches Free Primary Health Care programme with GH¢443m investment

The Ghanaian government has launched the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme, supported by a GH¢443 million investment to retool selected health facilities. National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) CEO Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe announced that funds are being paid directly to district health facilities to improve efficiency and reduce delays. In the Upper East Region, approximately GH¢4.2 million was allocated to 14 district health directorates.

To support the initiative, President John Dramani Mahama introduced an antenatal book designed to help health workers track pregnant women’s visits and monitor complications like high blood pressure. This effort aims to reduce maternal mortality by ensuring regular monitoring and preventive care through community health workers.

To enhance security and accountability, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) will issue staff identification cards with unique security codes to health workers conducting home-based services. This system allows the public to verify the identity of personnel and prevents impersonation. Additionally, the NHIA is implementing a cashless revenue collection system for membership registration and renewals to strengthen audit trails and reduce cash-handling risks.