"Every Ghanaian must be screened once a year" – Prez. Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has called for mandatory annual health screening for all Ghanaians as part of a renewed push to strengthen preventive healthcare and ensure early detection of diseases.

Speaking at the launch of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Policy at Osudoku District Hospital, President Mahama emphasized that routine screenings will play a critical role in identifying conditions such as hypertension and diabetes at early stages, where they can be managed or reversed through lifestyle and dietary changes.

He explained that the policy is structured to guarantee access to basic health checks at the community level, including blood pressure and blood sugar testing. Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, he noted, will be equipped to provide free essential services, including treatment for common illnesses such as malaria, cholera, and minor respiratory infections.

According to the President, patients diagnosed with more complex conditions will be referred to higher-level facilities, including district hospitals, where care will be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

He stressed that the Free Primary Healthcare Policy is designed to complement—not replace—the NHIS.

“You still need your NHIS card,”

President Mahama stated, clarifying that while primary care services at CHPS compounds and health centres will be free, advanced treatment at referral facilities will require NHIS coverage.

He added that access to free services at the community level will only require proof of Ghanaian identity, such as the Ghana Card.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the policy rollout as a transformative moment in Ghana’s healthcare delivery, highlighting a decisive shift from reactive treatment to preventive care.

He revealed that trained health workers and community volunteers will be deployed to markets, schools, workplaces, and other public spaces to conduct screenings and intensify public health education nationwide.

Hon. Akandoh disclosed that the initiative will begin in 150 underserved districts, with plans to expand coverage across the country by 2028. He added that mobile clinics and outreach teams will be central to extending healthcare services to hard-to-reach communities.

“With mobile clinics and outreach teams extending care to hard-to-reach areas, the policy is poised to reduce preventable diseases, cut healthcare costs, and build a healthier population—one that prioritizes wellness over illness,” he stated.

The Free Primary Healthcare Policy is expected to significantly strengthen Ghana’s preventive health system and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases nationwide.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith