The Member of Parliament for Madina, Dr. Francis-Xavier Sosu Esq., together with the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Faila, yesterday hosted the Minister of Health, Dr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, for the commissioning of the Madina Market Free Primary Healthcare Post.
The facility forms part of the government’s nationwide Free Primary Healthcare initiative launched under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama to improve access to quality healthcare and reduce the financial burden on citizens seeking medical care.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Francis-Xavier Sosu Esq. expressed profound appreciation to President Mahama and the Minister of Health for prioritizing the healthcare needs of the people of Madina and Ghana as a whole. He described the commissioning of the health post as a major step toward bringing quality and accessible healthcare closer to the people.
Dr. Sosu further reminded the Minister of President Mahama’s pledge to transform the Pantang Hospital into an ultra-modern psychiatric hospital, stressing the urgent need to strengthen mental healthcare infrastructure in the country. He also drew attention to the deteriorating state of some healthcare facilities within the constituency, including the Danfa Clinic, and appealed for immediate intervention to improve healthcare delivery in those areas.
The Madina MP also highlighted his personal commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure within the constituency. He disclosed that he personally financed the reconstruction of the Rawlings Circle Emergency Ward, a project expected to be completed within the next two weeks to enhance emergency healthcare services for residents.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of Health, Dr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the commissioning as a major milestone in the government’s healthcare transformation agenda. According to him, the initiative is aimed at transitioning Ghana’s healthcare system from a largely “sick care” model to a comprehensive healthcare approach centered on prevention, promotion, and early treatment.
The Minister explained that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative remains one of President Mahama’s flagship commitments under the Reset Agenda. He disclosed that out of Ghana’s 261 districts, approximately 150 districts have been selected to benefit from the first phase of the program, with Madina proudly included among the beneficiary municipalities.
Dr. Akandoh emphasized that the government is committed not only to announcing policies but also to ensuring their successful implementation with the necessary logistics, infrastructure, and funding. He revealed that all equipment and logistical requirements for the first phase of the project have already been procured and financed through government resources rather than borrowed funds.
He further explained that the newly introduced Health Posts are modern facilities equipped with consulting rooms, detention areas, pharmacies, washrooms, 24-hour solar power systems, boreholes, and telemedicine services. These facilities are strategically being positioned in busy public areas such as markets and lorry stations to ensure easy access to healthcare services.
The Minister added that government plans to expand the program in the future to include community pharmacies and school clinics as part of broader efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare delivery nationwide. He stressed that preventive and promotional healthcare remain central to reducing the country’s disease burden.
Dr. Akandoh also clarified that the Free Primary Healthcare program will operate through CHPS compounds, health centers, and polyclinics, where common illnesses such as malaria and other minor health conditions will be treated free of charge. Drawing a distinction between the initiative and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), he explained that while NHIS subscribers currently benefit from subsidized healthcare, millions of Ghanaians who are not enrolled still pay out-of-pocket for treatment. According to him, the new initiative seeks to bridge that gap and ensure equitable healthcare access for all citizens.
Earlier in the program, Hon. Alhaji Ibrahim Faila commended President Mahama and the Ministry of Health for the swift execution of the project, noting that although the initiative was launched less than a month ago, the facility had already been completed and commissioned for public use. He further disclosed plans to commence the construction of a Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound by July to further strengthen healthcare delivery within the municipality. The event, hosted by the Madina Health Directorate under the leadership of Dr. Afua Commey, was attended by traditional leaders, stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and members of the public.
Source: #DelaAkafiaNews #12FramesTvNews
