A new free primary health care initiative has drawn criticism from policy analysts who argue the program largely repackages existing services rather than introducing meaningful reforms.
Speaking on a radio program, Moses Amoah said many of the services highlighted under the policy including blood pressure checks, weight measurement and basic screenings, are already offered free at facilities under the Ghana Health Service.
“These are not new services,” Mr Amoah said. “You can walk into most hospitals and access them without charge.”
He argued that instead of launching a new branded program, authorities should focus on resourcing existing institutions, particularly the Ministry of Health, to improve service delivery.
Mr Amoah also questioned the absence of a clear recruitment strategy, noting that thousands of trained health professionals remain unemployed.
“If the right personnel are not recruited, deploying equipment and infrastructure will amount to nothing,” he said.
He added that gaps in the National Health Insurance Scheme, such as out-of-pocket payments for lab services and medication shortages, should have been prioritized.
