The Coalition of NGOs in Health in the Upper East Region has welcomed the government’s free primary healthcare initiative recently launched by John Dramani Mahama, with expectations that it will significantly improve access to care, particularly in rural communities.
Speaking on A1 Radio, the Upper East Regional Secretary of the Coalition of NGOs in Health, Patrick Namoo, said the policy reflects a shift toward community-based healthcare with a strong emphasis on prevention rather than treatment. He explained that the approach prioritizes essential health services at the grassroots level, aiming to ensure affordability, equity, and continuous access to care for all, especially those in underserved areas.
“We are primarily looking at community focus prevention and then the essential health delivery. That should ensure that every Ghanaian, especially those of the rural areas, have access to healthcare.”
“We welcome the flagship project from the president and government of Ghana. To us at the coalition, it is a good initiative. We hope and pray that thinking that went into it will see the full implementation of the policy,” he added.
He described the initiative as a positive step and a potential game changer for healthcare delivery, particularly in rural parts of the country. However, he stressed the need for full implementation, cautioning that the policy must go beyond political rhetoric and be executed effectively.
“When this initiative was mentioned, we realized that it is a game changer and it is going to boost health delivery at the rural areas. We hope that they will take advantage of the existing structures at the community level to boost them, to give them the needed resources, to give them the needed training, the needed professionals so that delivery of healthcare can get to the rural areas in the communities.”
He also highlighted concerns about sustainability and funding, noting that adequate financial commitment will be key to the success of the programme. While acknowledging the country’s limited resources, he suggested that proper prioritization, including the use of taxation, could support its implementation.
Touching on the Upper East Region, he noted that the area already has a foundation in community-based healthcare through CHPS compounds, and urged authorities to build on these structures by providing the necessary logistics, training, and personnel.
He added that NGOs in the health sector will continue to play a complementary and oversight role, monitoring the implementation of the initiative and drawing attention to any gaps by engaging the Ghana Health Service where necessary.
“As NGOs in Health, we play a complementary role. We try our best to support the government in healthcare delivery so from the angle we sit, we will also do the monitoring. We will play our watchdog role to see that these initiatives are implemented.”
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
