A former Minister of Communication, under the erstwhile John Mahama administration, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has said Ghanaians will not require the National Health Insurance card to access basic healthcare under the next NDC government.
He explained that, under the NDC’s Free Primary Health Care policy (FPHC), the public will have access to free healthcare in polyclinics, health centres, Community Health Planning Services (CHPS) compounds and district hospitals across the country.
Addressing journalists at the NDC’s weekly press briefings in Accra, to outline the health policies and programmes in their manifesto, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, said a Free Primary Health Care is very important and critical because health is integral to national development adding that the initiative will reduce avoidable deaths among Ghanaians.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah who is also one of the NDC Spokespersons on Health, also indicated that the Free Primary Health Care if implemented by the NDC will be one of the largest social interventions under the fourth republic.
He said the policy would be funded with revenues from the country’s crude oil that goes into the consolidated fund as well as other tax and non-tax revenues that equally come into the fund.
He added that in order to reduce long waiting times at health facilities, patients will have tests, blood glucose level done at accredited local pharmacies or drug stores at a fee to be paid by government.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah also explained that this will diversify the range of services that pharmacy and drug shops offer and create more jobs.
He said the policy will also help reduce pressure on secondary, tertiary and quaternary healthcare facilities, including addressing the dreaded ‘ No bed syndrome’.
