CATEGORY: Health
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced a nationwide initiative that integrates schools, churches and mosques into Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) zones as part of efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare and improve access to essential health services across the country.
The initiative forms part of the government’s flagship Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which seeks to shift Ghana’s healthcare system from a predominantly curative model to one that prioritizes prevention, early detection and community engagement. Health officials believe the strategy will help reduce the burden of preventable diseases while improving overall health outcomes.
Speaking on the programme, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, explained that schools, churches and mosques have been mapped into CHPS zones to serve as centres for regular health education activities. The institutions will host monthly health awareness programmes aimed at educating citizens on disease prevention, healthy lifestyles and timely healthcare seeking behaviour.
Under the programme, community health officers will spend a significant portion of their working week conducting home visits. The visits are expected to strengthen relationships between health workers and communities while helping to identify health concerns before they develop into serious conditions. Outreach services, vaccination campaigns and community durbars will also form a major component of the initiative.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has emphasized the importance of primary healthcare in achieving Universal Health Coverage. He noted that countries that have successfully improved healthcare outcomes have done so through sustained investments in primary healthcare systems. According to him, the government has committed resources to ensure the programme’s success.
As part of the initiative, approximately 24,000 pieces of medical equipment are being distributed to health facilities nationwide. Officials describe the procurement exercise as one of the largest healthcare retooling efforts undertaken in Ghana in recent years. The equipment is expected to improve service delivery and support healthcare workers in both urban and rural communities.
Government is also considering incentives to encourage health professionals to accept postings to rural and underserved communities. Proposed measures include accelerated promotions, scholarships, financial benefits and opportunities for specialist training. Authorities hope these incentives will address staffing challenges and improve healthcare access in remote areas.
Health experts have welcomed the initiative, noting that preventive healthcare remains one of the most cost-effective ways to improve national health outcomes. They argue that increasing public awareness and strengthening community-based services can significantly reduce pressure on hospitals and clinics.The programme is expected to play a critical role in reducing preventable illnesses and supporting Ghana’s long-term goal of achieving universal access to quality healthcare
Source: Ghana Health Service (GHS).
By: Oppong Richard