President John Dramani Mahama has reiterated that the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Policy is not a substitute for the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), but rather a complementary system aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services.
Addressing the nation at the policy’s launch in Accra on April 15, the President explained that the initiative is designed to make healthcare at the community level completely free, covering screening, diagnosis, and treatment for common illnesses.
“So the free primary healthcare complements the national health insurance… at that level, it’s free of charge. You go, the screening, everything is free,” he stated.
He outlined that under the programme, residents can walk into CHPS compounds and health centres to receive treatment for minor conditions such as malaria, cholera, and respiratory infections without paying for consultation or medication.
“If it’s a basic illness like malaria, your CHPS compound will have the medication… if it is a respiratory illness, you get it at your CHPS compound,” he explained.
However, President Mahama made it clear that cases requiring more advanced care will be referred to district-level facilities, where the NHIS will be needed to cover treatment costs.
“If it persists, they will refer you to the district level, and at that level, you use your national health insurance card to access treatment,” he said.
He cautioned Ghanaians against abandoning the NHIS, stressing that it remains essential for accessing healthcare beyond the primary level.
“It is not coming to replace it… you should still have a national health insurance card,” he emphasised.
The President added that while NHIS cards will not be required at the primary care level, individuals must present a valid form of identification, such as the Ghana Card, to confirm their residency before accessing free services.
The policy is expected to ease the burden on hospitals, promote early treatment, and expand healthcare access, particularly in underserved communities.
