Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has clarified that Ghana’s forthcoming Free Primary Healthcare policy will function alongside the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), noting that the two systems play distinct yet complementary roles in healthcare delivery. Speaking to journalists on Monday, April 13, he explained that the new policy is designed to cover basic services at the primary level, but with defined limits—patients will continue to rely on NHIS for care beyond that scope.
He emphasized that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative will concentrate on frontline services provided at CHPS compounds, health centres, and polyclinics, with a strong focus on promotive and preventive care. According to him, cases requiring referral to higher-level facilities such as district, regional, teaching and quaternary hospitals will continue to be handled under the NHIS.
The Free Primary Healthcare policy is distinct from NHIS coverage. We have clearly outlined the facilities it applies to—CHPS compounds, health centres, polyclinics—and its focus is on promotive and preventive care,” the Minister explained. “When a patient needs referral to a district hospital, regional hospital, teaching hospital, or quaternary-level care, that is where the National Health Insurance Scheme becomes essential. NHIS remains highly relevant.”
He further encouraged citizens who are not yet enrolled to sign up for NHIS, stressing that despite the introduction of the new policy, the scheme continues to be a cornerstone of Ghana’s healthcare financing system.
Source: Juliana Odame Asare