The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed that government has procured 24,534 pieces of essential medical equipment to support the nationwide rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare initiative.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, he explained that the move forms part of deliberate efforts to ensure the policy is implemented effectively, rather than remaining a mere announcement.

“In preparation for implementation, we have produced and ready to deploy 24,534 pieces of essential medical equipment across the country,” he revealed.

Mr. Akandoh noted that the equipment will be distributed across health facilities nationwide to adequately prepare both infrastructure and personnel ahead of the programme’s rollout.

He emphasized that government is prioritizing readiness, stressing that health facilities must be properly equipped before implementing such a major policy.

“I have already indicated the equipment status of our health faculties in the country so we can’t just be announcing policies without preparing. 

“We need to retool our health facilities to proper equip them to face what is ahead of us”, he said.

He further outlined that the procured items include incubators, glucometers for diabetes detection and management, hospital beds to increase patient capacity, and ultrasound machines to enhance diagnostic services, particularly in maternal healthcare.

He added that Free Primary Healthcare programme is expected to be officially launched on Wednesday by President John Dramani Mahama.