President John Dramani Mahama has urged every Ghanaian to undergo a health screening at least once a year, warning that many people may be living with serious health conditions without knowing it.
He said early detection of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes could save lives and enable people to receive treatment before their conditions become severe.
President Mahama made the call during a Free Primary Healthcare Durbar in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District in the Upper West Region as part of his two-day Resetting Ghana Tour.
The President said a statistic he had seen showed that 37 percent of Ghanaians are living with hypertension without knowing it.
“That means more than one-third of our population is walking around with high blood pressure unknowingly,” he said.
He urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare Programme to know their health status.
President Mahama said residents could have their blood pressure, blood sugar and other important health indicators checked without paying at primary healthcare facilities.
He stressed the importance of early detection, noting that knowing one’s health status allows for timely treatment and helps prevent potentially serious complications.
“Knowledge is power. Once you know your health status, you can receive treatment and protect your future,” he said.
The President said the Free Primary Healthcare Programme is designed not only to treat illnesses but also to prioritise preventive healthcare.
Under the programme, community health professionals will undertake home visits to screen families for common illnesses and identify people who may not ordinarily visit health facilities.
President Mahama said the government was also providing health workers with equipment to support community-based healthcare delivery.
He disclosed that 25,000 medical equipment items had already been delivered, with another 12,000 expected, including diagnostic kits for home visits, motorcycles and tricycles to enable health professionals to reach remote communities.
The President also encouraged pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics regularly, saying proper monitoring throughout pregnancy was essential for safe deliveries.
He said primary healthcare facilities would provide antenatal and postnatal services, basic scans, medical advice and referrals where specialised care was required.
President Mahama further said the government had established the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) to support patients facing the high cost of treating serious conditions such as cancer, kidney failure, stroke and congenital heart disease.
He cited the case of a child born with three holes in the heart whose family was faced with a GH¢154,000 surgery bill, which was subsequently fully covered by the Ghana Medical Trust Fund.
The President said the government’s broader healthcare agenda was aimed at ensuring that Ghanaians could access healthcare early, regardless of their location or financial circumstances.
He therefore urged citizens not to wait until they became seriously ill before seeking medical attention.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/ Presidential Affairs Correspondent | Ghana 🇬🇭
