Prof. Titus Beyuo, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Lambusie, has lauded the party’s primary healthcare policy, aimed at expanding healthcare access nationwide.
Under this policy, NDC Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama intends to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses at CHPS compounds, district hospitals, and other designated health facilities, which Prof. Beyuo describes as a crucial step toward universal primary healthcare in Ghana.
In contrast, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has emphasised targeted healthcare initiatives, including free dialysis treatment.
During 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 provides a broader, more impactful approach to addressing Ghana’s healthcare needs 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 expressed the party’s commitment to completing the construction of the abandoned CHPS compounds across the country.
“We estimated that we’re going to complete the abandoned CHPS compound and that will bring the figure to about 6,000.”
