By Prof. Titus Beyuo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Lambusie, has praised the party’s primary healthcare policy, which aims to expand healthcare access across the country.
Under this policy, NDC Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama plans to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses at CHPS compounds, district hospitals, and other designated health facilities—a crucial step toward achieving universal primary healthcare in Ghana, according to Prof. Beyuo.
In contrast, New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has focused on targeted healthcare initiatives, such as free dialysis treatment.
In an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Prof. Beyuo argued that the NDC’s comprehensive primary healthcare plan offers a broader, more impactful solution to Ghana’s healthcare challenges compared to the NPP’s specific benefits.
“They [NPP] claim they have something on primary healthcare, but I think our primary healthcare policy is a superior one. The free aspect of this primary healthcare policy has been well thought through.
“Less than 23% of persons living in rural communities had a valid NHIS card at the time we did the survey. Less than 45% of CHPS compounds were accredited to provide NHIS services. The major funding to the NHIA is the levy, not the premium, which means that every Ghanaian contribute to that levy.
“If everyone is contributing, why should the absence of the card limit people from the most basic form of care? This is the thinking behind which H.E [Mahama] said no. As a people, we should be fair to everybody. Every Ghanaian who is contributing to the NHIA levy should enjoy a certain minimum package of services. And that is why we starting with the CHPS compound.”
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to completing the construction of the neglected CHPS compounds throughout the country.
“We estimated that we’re going to complete the abandoned CHPS compound and that will bring the figure to about 6,000.”
