“Take advantage of the #FreePrimaryHealthCare initiative and avoid self-medication” – Health Minister urges Oti Region residentls

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh (MP), has called on residents of the Oti Region to fully embrace the government’s #FreePrimaryHealthCare initiative and desist from self-medication, stressing that the policy is designed to bring quality and affordable healthcare services closer to the people.

According to the Minister, self-medication continues to pose serious health risks to many Ghanaians, especially in rural communities where people often resort to taking drugs without proper medical consultation.

He explained that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, introduced by the John Dramani Mahama administration, seeks to remove financial barriers that prevent citizens from accessing healthcare at the early stages of illness.

Mr. Akandoh made the remarks during separate townhall meetings held at Kpelema and Dambai communities in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region as part of activities marking the official rollout of the initiative in the region.

Addressing residents, traditional authorities, opinion leaders, health workers, and members of the Muslim community, the Minister emphasized that the initiative is not only about free treatment but also about preventive healthcare and early detection of diseases.

He disclosed that health workers would soon be deployed into communities and homes to conduct blood pressure checks and other essential health screenings to help identify health conditions before they become severe.

“We want to move healthcare from the hospitals into the communities. Our health workers will visit homes, monitor blood pressure, educate residents, and provide basic health checks to ensure people remain healthy,” he stated.

The Minister further called for intensified public education on the initiative to ensure every resident in the Oti Region understands the benefits and takes full advantage of the programme.

He noted that government alone cannot achieve the objectives of the initiative without the support of traditional leaders, religious bodies, community leaders, and the media.

Mr. Akandoh also used the opportunity to appeal to chiefs and residents in Dambai not to allow local disputes and misunderstandings to affect the safety of health workers serving in the area.

“The lives of my health workers here are very important to me. They should not become victims of your differences. They are the same people who will attend to you when you need healthcare. Please, leave them out of your misunderstandings,” he appealed.

Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Operations at the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), announced major reforms under the initiative aimed at improving access to healthcare services.

According to him, Ghanaians will no longer pay NHIS premiums or processing fees, adding that the long-standing waiting period before NHIS cards become active would also be abolished.

“Henceforth, no Ghanaian will pay premium, processing fees, or wait for one month before their NHIS begins to function,” he disclosed.

Dr. Djokoto described the initiative as a major step toward achieving universal healthcare coverage and ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied healthcare because of financial difficulties.

On his part, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, stated that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative is intended to restore dignity to ordinary Ghanaians by ensuring people no longer have to beg for money before seeking medical care.

Prof. Akoriyea said many vulnerable families delay seeking treatment due to financial constraints, a situation he believes the initiative would address.

“This policy is about restoring dignity to the ordinary Ghanaian. Nobody should have to beg for money before going to the hospital,” he stated.

As part of activities during the official launch, health workers staged an educative and captivating drama performance highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare, early reporting to health facilities, and the dangers associated with self-medication.

Residents who attended the meetings welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that it would significantly improve healthcare delivery in the Oti Region and beyond.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith