New york: The Government has unveiled plans to implement a Free Primary Healthcare Programme aimed at providing comprehensive healthcare services to all Ghanaians. This announcement was made by First Lady Lordina Mahama, who highlighted the initiative’s focus on establishing CHPS compounds and health centres in communities to facilitate easier access to medical facilities.

According to Ghana News Agency, the programme will involve upgrading community and district health facilities across the country. Lordina Mahama shared these details during a fundraising gala organized by the Africa Development Foundation and Helping Africa Foundation in New York, aimed at supporting the Lordina Foundation’s maternity project. The First Lady emphasized that the John Mahama Administration is actively addressing the challenges identified by the Foundation’s initiatives throughout Ghana.

The statement issued by the Office of the First Lady specified that existing district hospitals and polyclinics would receive upgrades in terms of equipment and medical personnel. Mrs. Mahama, who is also the Founder and President of the Lordina Foundation, shared alarming statistics, noting that over 3,000 Ghanaian babies die each month before reaching their first birthday, with an infant mortality rate of 52 deaths per 1,000 live births and a maternal mortality rate of 103 per 100,000 live births.

Mrs. Mahama expressed a strong commitment to ensuring that no mother should face childbirth with fear for her life or her baby’s safety. She stressed the need for continuous oversight to translate government commitments into tangible improvements on the ground. The First Lady assured her audience that her advocacy, alongside the Vice President of Ghana, aims to ensure that the Chief of Staff and the Minister for Health fulfill their promises to the Ghanaian people.

The Lordina Foundation has previously constructed and equipped model maternity and children’s wards in Bole, Nkoranza, and Bodom, in addition to renovating facilities at the Hohoe and Adabraka Health Centres. At the New York event, Mrs. Mahama urged donors to support the expansion of these efforts, as the Foundation seeks to enhance its impact on an international scale and complement public sector reforms.