The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has cautioned health professionals Against sabotage of the government’s flagship free primary health care policy(FPHC) which takes off today in 4,574, health facilities in 135 districts after a successful pilot.
Consequently, the Minister urged the public to report health workers who demand payment for services they were entitled to receive free of charge under the Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) programme.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, addressing the media
“Anything that falls within the package of free primary healthcare, no Ghanaian is to pay for any that is part of their package,” he said.
“And if any health worker demands of any Ghanaian any money, please report.”
Mr Akandoh said every complaint would be investigated to establish whether the health worker had breached the rules governing the programme.
“If there’s a need for suspension, somebody will be suspended,” he said.
At a press briefing on the progress of the programme on Monday (September 7, 2026), Mr Akandoh said any health worker found demanding money from patients for services covered by the programme would face investigation and possible sanctions.
He said the Ministry of Health would publish a short code or telephone number through which members of the public could report health workers who demanded payment for services covered under the FPHC programme.
Under the FPHC programme, patients are entitled to treatment for common conditions such as malaria and respiratory illnesses.
The programme also covers preventive services, including blood pressure and blood sugar screening, as well as nutrition and hygiene counselling.
The services are provided at Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres and polyclinics.
Patients do not require a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card to access the services.
Mr Akandoh said the programme was currently being implemented in 135 of the 150 districts targeted across the 16 regions
He said 4,574 health facilities were covered under the programme.
The Minister said the ministry was working to extend the programme to all 150 target districts by the end of the year.
The warning comes amid concerns about informal charges at health facilities, where patients are sometimes asked to pay for services they expect to receive without charge
The Health Minister later revealed that the Free Primary Healthcare packages include screening, maternal and child health, basic curative services, and community services including home visits and outreach to schools, workplaces, markets and communities.
According to him this is a major step towards H.E. President Mahama’s vision of moving Ghana from sick-care to comprehensive healthcare, with quality care brought closer to our people.
“With 24,534 essential medical equipment, over 10,000 motorbikes and tricycles, and 5,000 outreach kits distributed to support the rollout, we are strengthening healthcare delivery at the primary level.
Free Primary Healthcare has come to stay. We are on course to achieving Universal Health Coverage”, Mr. Akandoh emphasized.
Source:www.senaradioonline.com
