The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called on all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Central Region to take full ownership of the government's Free Primary Health Care programme and ensure its successful implementation in their respective districts.

Speaking at the official launch of the Free Primary Health Care initiative in the Central Region, the minister emphasized that the policy is a flagship intervention of the government aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services for all Ghanaians,especially those in underserved communities.

According to him, the programme has come to stay and is backed by the necessary logistics, medical equipment and human resources to ensure its effectiveness across the country.

Akandoh explained that the policy will be implemented through Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, health centres, polyclinics and other primary healthcare facilities nationwide.

He, therefore, urged MMDCEs to closely monitor the implementation process and provide the needed support to healthcare workers to guarantee its success.

"The Free Primary Health Care programme belongs to all of us.

I want every MMDCE to see it as their own project and work tirelessly to ensure that the people in their districts benefit from it," he stated.

The minister further disclosed that government is making efforts to strengthen the health sector through the recruitment of more healthcare professionals. 

He announced that a new recruitment portal would soon be opened to enable graduate nurses, doctors and other health professionals to apply for employment into the Ghana Health Service.

Touching on the scope of the programme, Akandoh said the Free Primary Health Care initiative will cover the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and conditions including malaria,diarrhoea, anaemia,hypertension (high blood pressure), respiratory infections and several other basic health conditions that affect many Ghanaians.

He noted that the programme is expected to reduce the financial burden on families seeking basic healthcare services while improving health outcomes across the country.

The health minister also encouraged citizens to actively embrace and participate in the programme stressing that improved healthcare delivery is essential for national development.

In an interaction with the MMDCEs after the launch, Akandoh urged them to become ambassadors of government policies by educating residents on the benefits of the Free Primary Health Care initiative and other developmental programmes being rolled out across the country.

He assured Ghanaians that government remains committed to addressing the numerous challenges facing healthcare institutions, including infrastructure deficits, inadequate logistics and staffing concerns.

"We are determined to improve healthcare delivery in every part of Ghana and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all citizens regardless of their  location or economic status," the Minister assured.

The launch brought together health officials, traditional leaders, MMDCEs, political authorities and stakeholders in the health sector who pledged their support towards the successful implementation of the policy in the Central Region.