The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that health workers will soon begin house-to-house visits across Ghana to provide free health screenings and detect diseases early under the government's Free Primary Healthcare programme.
The initiative forms part of efforts to shift the country's healthcare system from focusing mainly on treatment to prioritising prevention, health promotion, and early intervention. According to the minister, trained health personnel will visit homes, churches, mosques, markets, and other public spaces to offer basic screening services at no cost.
The screenings will include blood pressure checks, blood sugar testing, and temperature monitoring to identify potential health conditions before they become severe. Individuals found to have concerning health indicators will be advised on the appropriate steps to manage their conditions and seek further medical attention when necessary.
Speaking ahead of the programme's launch, Mr. Akandoh expressed concern over the high number of Ghanaians living with undiagnosed non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension. He noted that many people only discover they have such conditions after experiencing serious health complications.
He described the preventive healthcare approach as a potential game changer for Ghana's health sector, stressing that an effective healthcare system must balance disease prevention, health promotion, and treatment.
The minister added that outreach teams will operate on scheduled programmes across communities nationwide to ensure residents benefit from regular health assessments and education. The initiative is expected to promote early detection, improve health outcomes, and reduce pressure on healthcare facilities across the country.
Health Ministry to Launch House-to-House Health Screening Initiative
Health Ministry to Launch House-to-House Health Screening Initiative