The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has praised Ghana for launching its Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative.
According to him, it is an important milestone in the country’s journey towards universal health coverage.
In a post shared on his X page on April 16, 2026, he congratulated President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on the rollout of the programme.
“I congratulate the President of Ghana and the Minister of Health on the launch of the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative,” he wrote.
Dr Ghebreyesus said the programme is essential to improving health outcomes, enabling early detection, timely treatment, and prevention of diseases.
“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,” he added.
The Free Primary Health Care programme seeks to expand access to essential health services, particularly in underserved communities across the country.
The programme, expected to cost GH¢1.2 billion annually, will begin in 150 underserved districts in its first phase.
As part of the rollout, medical equipment will be supplied to beneficiary districts, alongside intensified community sensitisation through town hall meetings and stakeholder engagements.
The programme marks a strategic shift from a treatment-centred approach to a prevention-focused healthcare model.
It incorporates routine screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cancers, alongside maternal health services including antenatal and postnatal care.
It also covers immunisation services and the treatment of common illnesses such as malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory infections, conditions that continue to account for a significant share of morbidity in many communities.
Additionally, over 350 container-based service points will be set up in busy areas such as markets and lorry parks to bring basic healthcare closer to the public.
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