First Lady Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will soon implement a Free Primary Healthcare Programme and upgrade community and district health facilities nationwide.
Speaking at a fundraising gala in New York organised by the Africa Development Foundation and Helping Africa Foundation to support the Lordina Foundation’s maternity projects, Mrs. Mahama said the initiative will expand access to essential care.
“The government has announced plans to implement a Free Primary Healthcare Programme for all Ghanaians. This will come with the provision of CHPS compounds and health centres in our communities. Existing district hospitals and polyclinics will also be upgraded with equipment and medical personnel,” she stated.
Highlighting the urgency, she revealed that more than 3,000 Ghanaian babies die each month before their first birthday, with an infant mortality rate of 52 per 1,000 live births and a maternal mortality rate of 103 per 100,000 live births.
“No mother, anywhere, should face childbirth gripped by such fear for her life or her baby,” she stressed.
The First Lady pledged to work with the Vice President to ensure the Chief of Staff and the Health Ministry deliver on the government’s commitments.
The Lordina Foundation, which she founded, has already built and equipped three model maternity and children’s wards in Bole, Nkoranza, and Bodom, and renovated facilities such as the Hohoe Adabraka Health Centre.
Mrs. Mahama urged donors to help expand these efforts as the Foundation “steps onto a truly international stage” to complement public sector reforms.
Source – gbcghanaonline.com
