The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that health workers will soon embark on house-to-house visits across the country to conduct health screening and early disease detection as part of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme.
According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at shifting Ghana’s healthcare system from a largely treatment-focused approach to one that prioritises disease prevention, health promotion and early intervention.
Speaking in an interview on Global105 FM in the Volta Region on Friday, June 12, 2026, ahead of the programme’s launch, Akandoh said trained health personnel would visit homes, churches, mosques, markets and other public spaces to provide basic health screening services free of charge.
The minister explained that health workers would conduct routine checks, including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing and temperature screening, to identify potential health conditions before they become life-threatening.
“We are moving into people’s homes, churches, mosques and marketplaces to screen people and detect diseases early. If we identify dangerous readings, health professionals will recommend the necessary steps to manage the condition before it becomes severe,” he said.
Akandoh expressed concern about the growing number of Ghanaians living with undiagnosed non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension, noting that many individuals remain unaware of their condition until serious complications occur.
“More than 60 percent of people living with hypertension do not know their status. These diseases progress quietly, and many people only discover they are ill when they suffer a major health event,” he stated.
The minister described the preventive healthcare component of the programme as a potential “game changer” for the country’s health sector, arguing that healthcare systems should not focus exclusively on curing diseases.
“Prevention is always better than cure. A proper healthcare system must include promotion, prevention and curative services,” he stressed.
Akandoh said the outreach teams would operate on scheduled programmes, moving from one community to another to ensure that residents across the country benefit from regular health assessments and education.
He noted that the strategy would help identify health risks at an early stage, enabling timely treatment and reducing pressure on hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
The minister further disclosed that the preventive services would form a key component of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare programme, which is designed to provide access to basic healthcare services for all Ghanaians.
Source: Ghanaweb
