Gov’t introduces three-level health system to expand access to critical care
President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new three-level healthcare delivery system aimed at expanding access to affordable and critical medical services across the country.
Speaking at the official launch of Free Primary Healthcare at Shai Osudoku District Hospital, President Mahama emphasized that, the initiative is designed to strengthen preventive care, improve district-level treatment, and ensure financial support for patients requiring specialized and high-cost interventions such as dialysis.
He explained that the first level of the system focuses on free primary healthcare services, where early detection and basic treatment of common diseases will be provided at community facilities.
“Every citizen will first be seen at the primary healthcare level, where screening and basic treatment are provided free of charge,” President Mahama stated. “At this stage, conditions like hypertension, diabetes, malaria, and other common illnesses can be detected and managed early.”
Patients requiring further care, he said, will be referred to district hospitals under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which continues to serve as a key mechanism for ensuring affordability of secondary healthcare services.
“If the condition requires additional attention, the patient will be referred to the district hospital and will use their NHIS card to access treatment,” he explained.
President Mahama further outlined a third level of care targeting patients with severe conditions that require specialized treatment not widely available at district hospitals. He cited kidney failure requiring dialysis as a key example.
He announced the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares,” to support such cases.
“In situations where the illness is advanced and requires dialysis or other specialized care that may not be available at district hospitals, patients will be referred to accredited treatment centres,” he said. “Through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, these patients will receive support to access care, including dialysis, free of charge.”
The President emphasized that the new structure is intended to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme, not replace it, describing it as part of efforts to build a more responsive and inclusive healthcare system.
