Fourteen of the 15 districts in the Upper East Region have been selected for the first phase of the Government of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative, with Bolgatanga Municipality excluded from the initial rollout.
Launching the programme in the region, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, said Bolgatanga Municipality would be included in the second phase of the nationwide implementation.
Dr. Abubakari said the initiative will upgrade 11 market health centres across the region and equip them with modern medical equipment to provide essential healthcare services comparable to those offered at established health facilities.
He said the programme is designed to bring healthcare closer to traders, farmers and residents in underserved communities, reducing delays in accessing treatment and improving health outcomes.
The Regional Director noted that the Upper East and Northern regions received the highest number of beneficiary districts under the first phase, with 14 districts each, reflecting the government’s effort to reduce disparities in access to healthcare in northern Ghana.
He added that medical equipment, logistics and other essential supplies have already been delivered to all beneficiary districts to enable the programme to begin immediately.
Dr. Abubakari said the National Health Insurance Scheme will finance the initiative to ensure its long-term sustainability and guarantee free access to primary healthcare services.
The Free Primary Healthcare initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, advance universal health coverage and improve equitable access to healthcare services across the country.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
