Gov't introduces mobile screening teams to boost primary health care

President John Dramani Mahama unveiled a new community-based primary health care model introducing "primary administrators," health volunteers, and mobile screening teams to expand access to basic health services nationwide. Speaking at the launch of the policy at the Shai Osudoku District Hospital, the President said he has rolled out a new primary health care delivery model aimed at strengthening access to basic health services at the community level.

Under the initiative, trained health professionals will serve as "primary administrators" stationed at community-based locations such as CHPS compounds and other designated areas to coordinate local health delivery. The President stated, "We're going to have a category of health professionals in CHPS compounds and other places who would be the primary administrators of primary health care." A health volunteers scheme will include national service personnel as well as newly trained nurses and paramedics awaiting official postings. These volunteers will be deployed to support free primary health care delivery while they await permanent postings, with an incentive of priority consideration when posting opportunities arise.

The system will include both fixed "health kiosks" and mobile teams equipped with basic diagnostic tools to reach people in their communities. Some teams will conduct outreach services in open community spaces, including under trees, where residents can quickly access basic health checks. The teams will be trained to carry out essential screenings, including blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests, and breast cancer awareness examinations. They will also assess body mass index (BMI) to help identify individuals at risk of non-communicable diseases, using height and weight measurements to guide health advice. The initiative is designed to promote early detection, preventive care, and wider access to basic health services across communities.