By Alex Baah Boadi, GNA
Sefwi-Adeimbra (WN/R), July 01, GNA – The Western North Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Regional Health Directorate, has held a day’s stakeholder and consultative engagement on the roadmap for the implementation of government’s Free Primary Health Care policy in the region.
The Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) policy is a government flagship initiative aimed at accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Ghana.
The policy sought to ensure that all Ghanaians had access to essential, quality primary health care services without incurring out-of-pocket expenses at the point of care.
It also represented a strategic shift in the country’s health care delivery system from a predominantly curative approach to one that prioritised disease prevention, health promotion, and community-based care.
Speaking at the event, Mr Wilbert Petty Brentum, the Western North Regional Minister, said the engagement was to make way for the official launch of the Free Primary Health Care in the region.
He explained that the policy was a major campaign promise of the President and that it would serve as a health management system where people could go for testing of blood pressure, and sugar levels among others.
The Minister reiterated the commitment of Regional Coordinating Council to support the Health Directorate in ensuring the successful implementation of the programme.
Dr Paulina Clara Appiah, Western North Regional Director of Health Services, said they were looking at more of preventive part of healthcare where people would be screened against non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, cancer, and diabetes, noting that the Free Primary Health Care would help in that regard.
Nana Elluo Panin III, the Chief of Nsuansua and Gyidomhene for the Wiawso Traditional Council, who chaired the programme, called on all to embrace the Free Primary Health Care policy and carry on with the sensitisation to ensure the sustainability of the policy.
He expressed worry about the over politicisation of government’s policies and called on major stakeholders to unite and contribute their quota to ensure the successful implementation of the policy.
The engagement bought together traditional authorities, religious leaders, health practitioners and some members of the public.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Alex Baah Boadi
Email: [email protected]