Mahama in Dodowa
Free Primary Healthcare Launch by President Mahama
In a grand gesture by His Excellency President JDM, the Free Primary Healthcare was launched at the Shai Osudoku Hospital; a hospital commissioned by President Mahama in 2016.
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour. This launch by the President brought together Chiefs and Queenmothers, Staff of the Ministry of Health, Various Health Agencies in Ghana, The Mantse and Paramount Chief of the Ga Traditional Area were present. Also present were the Hon. Minister for Health; Dr. Kwabena Minta Akandoh, the Hon. Linda Ocloo; Greater-Accra Regional Minister, the Country Director of the World Health Organisation; Dr. Fiona Braka, Chief Executive of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Members of the Clergy, Respected Imams and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Staff, Students and Inhabitants of the Shai-Osudoku District, and many other Well-meaning Ghanaians.
As part of Universal Health Coverage (an SDG goal), expanded coverage and affordability of health care will be targeted to unserved and underserved communities in Ghana under an Initiative called the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS), as a way of reducing health inequalities across the nation.
CHPS is a preventive health strategic policy which aims to deliver community level service with a focus on early detection of diseases to avoid their escalation. According to the President, Health Screening forms a major aspect of this Scheme. During the launch, he urged all Ghanaians to partake in the health screening which is open to all Ghanaians, and all Ghanaian residents. He noted that it was completely free, requiring only a valid ID to access the service available near you. Since it was different from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), referrals to a higher level medical service would require the usage of NHIS registration cards and thus prior registration for the NHIS.
According to the president, CHPS also works hand in hand with the District Hospitals and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund otherwise known as the Mahama Care.
More details available at the MoH website.