President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme will officially be launched on April 15, 2026, in a move aimed at eliminating financial barriers to basic healthcare access.

The President made the announcement on Monday during his opening address at a presidential dialogue with civil society organisations at the Presidency. He called on stakeholders to support public education efforts and help monitor the programme’s implementation nationwide.

According to President Mahama, the initiative is designed to expand access to essential healthcare services from the district hospital level down to community-based facilities.

“This initiative intends to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare, increase access at the community level, and enhance preventive care,” he stated.

Under the programme, Ghanaians will be able to receive free treatment at district hospitals and Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds without the need for a National Health Insurance Scheme card.

A key component of the initiative is its strong focus on preventive care. Government plans to deploy 6,000 community health volunteers—one in each electoral area—who will conduct door-to-door screenings using basic diagnostic tools such as blood pressure monitors and glucometers.

In addition, community pharmacies established under the programme will stock affordable generic medicines, particularly for conditions like hypertension, enabling patients identified during screenings to access treatment without travelling long distances.

President Mahama emphasised that the April 15 rollout date is firm and urged civil society organisations to intensify awareness campaigns, especially in underserved communities. He also encouraged them to act as a feedback channel to help identify and address implementation challenges promptly.

The Free Primary Healthcare Programme complements the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which is expected to become operational in April and will focus on the treatment of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.