The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for intensified efforts to improve healthcare access in Ghana, revealing that the country remains below its universal health coverage (UHC) target.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday, April 13, he stated, “Our Universal Health Coverage (UHC) service coverage index now stands at about 56 per cent, and we need to hit a target of 80 per cent by 2030.”
He explained that although Ghana has made progress through interventions such as the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) programme and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), significant gaps persist in access, affordability and early care.
According to the Minister, financial barriers remain a major challenge, with many Ghanaians still paying out-of-pocket for healthcare.
He warned that this often leads to delays in seeking treatment, noting, “When people have to pay, they delay. They wait. They try to manage symptoms at home. And by the time they come to the facility, the condition has often worsened.”
He further highlighted that limited awareness and late detection of diseases continue to undermine health outcomes, particularly with the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancers.
Mr. Akandoh identified the Free Primary Health Care policy as a critical intervention to address these challenges, stressing that it will expand access to essential services at the community level while promoting prevention and early diagnosis.
He said the policy is designed to remove cost barriers at the primary care level and ensure that more Ghanaians can seek care early without financial constraints.
The Minister added that the initiative represents a fundamental shift in Ghana’s healthcare approach, moving from a system largely focused on treatment to one that prioritises prevention and equitable access.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
