Free Primary Healthcare will complement NHIS, not replace it — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has clarified that Ghana’s Free Primary Health Care initiative is designed to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), not replace it, stressing that the two systems will work together to improve access to healthcare.

Speaking at the launch at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital, President Mahama explained that under the new policy, basic healthcare services at the community level will be provided free of charge, particularly at CHPS compounds, health kiosks, and health centres.

“At that level, it is free of charge. You go for screening and everything is free,” he said, adding that common conditions such as malaria, cholera, and basic respiratory infections will be treated at the primary level with essential medicines available at community facilities.

According to him, CHPS compounds and similar facilities will be equipped to manage routine illnesses, including providing malaria treatment, basic care for diarrhoeal diseases like cholera, and simple medications such as cough mixtures for respiratory infections.

However, he noted that cases requiring further medical attention such as persistently high blood sugar readings will be referred to district-level facilities for advanced care.

At that point, patients will be required to use their NHIS cards to access treatment and prescribed medicines.

“The free primary health care is complementary to the National Health Insurance. It is not replacing it; it is coming to strengthen it,” he emphasized.

President Mahama further urged Ghanaians not to abandon their NHIS membership, explaining that it remains essential for accessing higher-level healthcare services.

Under the policy, patients seeking care at CHPS compounds, health centres, and other primary facilities will only need identification such as the Ghana Card to confirm residency and eligibility, without requiring an NHIS card at that initial stage.