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I am worried about the 𝙍𝙀-𝙋𝘼𝘾𝙆𝘼𝙂𝙄𝙉𝙂 of the NPP government NHIA approved Free Annual Health Check for all citizens above 18 years having a Ghana Card, & Ghana Health Service’s primary health care program into what is now called Free Primary Healthcare.

PLAGIARISED ditto ditto comes the 1st half of the FPHC. In it’s policy document the Minister of Health failed to credit the NHIA, MOH, GHS, CHAG , private providers , USAID and the world bank for collaborating to establish a once a year free Annual Health checks for all citizens above 18yrs old effective 2nd August 2024. The Ministry of health however used the policy guideline draft of the Free Annual Health without reference to its authors.

The author

On the website of the Church of Pentecost Headquarters is a publication sourced from myjoyonline ;

NHIA Launches Free Annual Health Check-Up Initiative

 

 

The church of pentecost has some mission hospitals, which in this case falls under CHAG. The church published this article as a result of its recognition by the MOH as a stakeholder or probably because it found the initiative as newsworthy. In the link above, you may come across some key points of interest. I share with you parts of the then Ceo’s speech when he launched the Free Annual Healthcare initiative.

[ The ‘Free Annual Health Checkup programme will provide free health screening to all citizens.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NHIA, Dr Da-Costa Aboagye, told the Daily Graphic in Accra on Wednesday that the initiative, on the theme “Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases and Chronic Diseases in Ghana”, was the preventive aspect of health care.

He said it would offer comprehensive annual health screening for blood pressure, blood sugar, and Body Mass Index (BMI) testing, along with counselling and referrals as needed.

All NHIS subscribers and Ghana Card holders would be invited once a year to do the check-up. “The initiative provides an opportunity for all Ghanaians aged 18 and above, irrespective of NHIS enrolment, to access health care at any credentialed provider nationwide,” Dr Aboagye stated.

It is aimed at enhancing healthcare access and promoting preventive measures against non-NCDs and chronic conditions through early detection. NCDs such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes and cancers have been identified as the major cause of mortality in the country; a silent killer precipitated basically by lifestyle.

The first phase of the NHIS preventive health initiative will provide the services at designated public and private health facilities nationwide, ensuring accessibility regardless of location or socio-economic status.

At the launch of the initiative in Accra last Monday, Dr. Aboagye said it was a demonstration of the government and the NHIA’s commitments to enhancing health care access and reducing disease incidence.

“Our Free Annual Health Checkup programme is designed to prevent severe health conditions, reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life”.

“The initiative aims to increase life expectancy, reduce healthcare costs and accelerate the achievement of universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal Three,” Dr Aboagye said]

Folks, the then Vice President Dr. Bawumia was also represented by Hon Joseph Cudjoe , former Minister of Public sector reforms. In the Vice Presidents speech, he stated that among others ;

“The Free Annual Health Check will provide the opportunity for all Ghanaians 18 years and above irrespective of whether they are enrolled in the NHIS or not to access a defined package of Preventive and Promotive services at any time during their birth month at specified health facilities nationwide. The services to be
enjoyed in this package will be:
• Screening for blood pressure
• Screening for blood sugar
• Screening for body mass index
• Counseling
• Referral
The purpose of the Free Annual Health Check is to sensitize and raise awareness
among the Ghanaian population about preventive and Promotive interventions to
promote healthy lifestyles and regular screenings, and drive NHIS membership.
Specifically, the Free Annual Health Check will:
1. Promote wellness through access to defined preventive and Promotive
services.
2. Improve the early detection and treatment of hypertension, diabetes and
obesity.
3. Increase NHIS enrolment and renewals”

Folks, on pages 16 & 17 of the so-called Free Primary Healthcare policy document, it is stated that

” Screening services may be provided at a health facility or within your
community through outreach programmes.
During your screening, you may receive:
· Blood pressure check
· Blood sugar test
· Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement
· Basic physical examination
· Health advice and counselling
· Referral for further care if needed

Prevention helps to:

· Detect diseases early
· Reduce hospital visits
· Lower treatment costs
· Improve quality of life

Folks, you may realise as above that, the then Ceo of NHIA, Dr Dacosta stated ” Our Free Annual Health Checkup programme is designed to prevent severe health conditions, reduce healthcare costs and improve quality of life”. This position is not different from
” Prevention helps to:
· Detect diseases early
· Reduce hospital visits
· Lower treatment costs
· Improve quality of life ”
as seem on page 17 of the FPHC document.

Stated also on page 16 is the other part of the politically minded FPHC that conflicts and undermines the core function of the PHC department of the GHS. The policy document states that

Community Health Nurses may also:
· Visit homes
· Organize community outreach sessions

I beg your pardon, Mr. Minister, this has already been done way as a strategy by Ghana after Alma-Ata declaration of 1978. What the MOH lacked was referencing extensively the Ghana Health Service current PHC strategies vs. shortfalls in its operations. This, when done, will bring all along wrt what gap is to be filled. I ask Mr. Minister, did you review the existing PHC operations, and what were your findings? The situation you find yourself on page 16 of your FPHC document is as if you are reinventing the wheel.

Financing :

It appears the NPP’s Free Annual Health Check piloted in 400 sub districts under the Network of Practise ( NOP) using the same payment systems. Mr. Minister , both programs appear to have had common grounds for population based funding model( capitation) for promotion and prevention benefits package. It appears both programs piloted in about 150 districts. However, on an annual basis that of the NPP cost $5 million from USAID and $ 8 million from World Bank’s P4R for health promotion and prevention benefits package. An additional 2 million ghs were allocated from the NHIA budget to the wellness clinics.

I dont understand the 1.2bn ghs allocation to this plagiarised & politically minded program on a yearly basis. Well, it’s a matter of time , we will get to the bottom of it . More critique , more questions to follow….

Source;𝐇𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐫. 𝐍𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐀𝐲𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐞 {𝐌𝐏, 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐞-𝐀𝐬𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐞