Free Primary Healthcare Policy targets 12 million Ghanaians outside NHIS — Health Minister
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that the government’s newly introduced Free Primary Healthcare policy is aimed at serving millions of Ghanaians who are not covered by the country’s health insurance system.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 22, he said the initiative is intended to address gaps in healthcare access, particularly for people who are not enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He explained that although the NHIS has significantly improved access to healthcare over the years, a large segment of the population still remains outside the scheme, leaving them exposed when seeking even basic medical care.
According to the Minister, coverage has increased from 57 percent to about 66 percent, meaning more than 12 million Ghanaians are still not insured. He cautioned against assuming widespread coverage, noting that such an assumption overlooks a substantial number of people.
He further pointed out that access to NHIS services is limited to registered members, leaving roughly 34 percent of the population without coverage and unable to benefit from services under the scheme.
Mr. Akandoh stressed that the Free Primary Healthcare policy is designed to close this gap by ensuring that essential health services are available to everyone, regardless of their insurance status.
Currently, individuals who are not enrolled in the NHIS often have to pay out-of-pocket for basic healthcare, which can delay treatment and lead to more serious health issues.
The new policy seeks to remove this barrier by making primary healthcare universally accessible, including services provided at community-level facilities such as clinics, health centres, and CHPS compounds, which serve as the first point of care for many Ghanaians.
About The Author
