By: Kwaku Mensah Abrampa | Ignewss—SUNYANI, Ghana
The Bono Regional Coordinator of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, Mr. Kofi Nyarko Eric, has clarified that the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme does not make all healthcare services at participating facilities free of charge.
He explained that the initiative is limited to basic promotive and preventive healthcare services, which are intended to prevent diseases, encourage early detection of health conditions and facilitate timely treatment before illnesses become severe.
Speaking on the implementation of the programme, Mr. Nyarko Eric said patients who are diagnosed with medical conditions requiring medication would still need valid National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage to access treatment.
He therefore urged members of the public to register for the NHIS and renew their membership regularly to ensure they can access medications and other services not covered under the Free Primary Healthcare Programme.
According to him, misconceptions that all healthcare services are free under the programme could place unnecessary financial pressure on health facilities.
He stressed that the initiative was designed specifically to provide basic preventive and promotive healthcare services rather than comprehensive free medical treatment.
Mr. Nyarko Eric also said the Bono Regional Health Directorate remains committed to supporting the successful implementation of the programme by ensuring the availability of the necessary human resources and essential logistics.
He noted that the programme has the potential to improve public health outcomes through early disease prevention and timely intervention but said its success would depend on the cooperation of healthcare workers and the general public.
He called on Ghanaians to support the implementation of the programme and continue to patronise preventive healthcare services while maintaining active NHIS membership to facilitate access to medical treatment when necessary.
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com