By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Navrongo (U/E), Sept. 10, GNA – The Navro-Pio, Pe Denis Aneakwoa Balinia Adda Asagpaare II, the Paramount Chief of the Navrongo Traditional Area, has called for support for the government’s Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) programme.
He urged Ghanaians to embrace the programme, describing it as a “good initiative,” and cautioned against its politicization.
“I encourage Ghanaians not to politicize this good initiative as was done to the National Health Insurance Scheme,” the Navro-Pio said.
Pe Asagpaare II made the call when Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister for Health, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace as part of a visit to the traditional area to assess the implementation of the FPHC programme.
The Paramount Chief thanked Mr Akandoh, who was accompanied by Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Samuel Kwabena Boakye-Boateng, Director of Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the GHS.
The rest were Dr Salamatu Attah-Nangtomah, the FPHC Coordinator at the GHS, Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, Upper East Regional Director of the GHS, Mr Tony Goodman, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Mr Jacob Acquah Andoh, Head of Public Relations Unit, GHS among other officials.
Pe Asagpaare II also appealed to the Minister to refurbish the War Memorial Hospital, formerly known as Saint Mary Catholic Hospital, which was established in 1951 before government took over its management in 1961.
He said the hospital had not undergone any major renovation since its establishment; a situation he noted was not befitting its status as a referral facility serving the area.
Mr Akandoh subsequently toured the facility, including its mortuary, to assess its condition firsthand, where he observed cracks in some portions of the facility and said the government would consider its renovation.
On the FPHC programme, the Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Juaboso Constituency in the Western North Region, said the Ministry was rolling out several interventions and policies aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the country, and urged Ghanaians to embrace and support the FPHC programme.
The FPHC programme, launched in April 2026 as part of efforts to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country, seeks to shift healthcare delivery beyond hospitals by placing greater emphasis on disease prevention, early detection and health promotion.
All 15 municipalities and districts in the Upper East Region are benefiting from the implementation of the programme.
Under the initiative, communities would receive free health services, including immunization, antenatal and postnatal care, treatment for common illnesses such as malaria and respiratory infections, and screening for hypertension, diabetes, obesity and selected cancers.
The programme would further provide family planning services, mental health support and health education.
To improve access to healthcare, health posts and kiosks would be established at busy markets, lorry stations and remote communities to bring essential services closer to residents who often faced challenges accessing health facilities.
As part of their routine home visits under the programme, Community Health Nurses (CHNs) would assess the blood pressure, blood sugar levels, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of household members, particularly older people.
Those found to have elevated readings would be referred to the nearest health centre for further assessment and management.
To prevent non-health professionals from falsely presenting themselves as health personnel, the GHS would provide identification cards at no cost to health workers, particularly CHNs, to strengthen the implementation of the FPHC programme.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Kenneth Odeng Adade