President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to introduce an additional 20% of basic salary for health workers who accept postings to deprived and underserved communities.
Speaking at the launch of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District of the Upper West Region, President Mahama said the incentive was aimed at encouraging more professionals to serve in areas where healthcare needs are greatest.
According to him, the government is working to identify the eligible deprived and underserved districts, with the incentive expected to take effect after the necessary approvals are secured.
He commended young health professionals who had accepted postings to underserved communities and urged residents to support them.
The President also said government was engaging stakeholders on issues concerning the welfare and working conditions of health workers, while efforts were being made to improve infrastructure and provide the equipment needed for effective service delivery.
The incentive forms part of broader measures to address the longstanding difficulty of attracting and retaining health professionals in underserved parts of the country.
The announcement comes as government expands the Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which is currently being implemented in 135 districts across all 16 regions, with an initial target of 150 deprived districts.
The programme focuses on preventive care, early detection and basic treatment at the community level, including CHPS compounds, health centres and polyclinics. Patients requiring more advanced treatment can be referred to higher-level facilities.
President Mahama also encouraged Ghanaians to register and remain active on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), explaining that patients referred for services beyond the primary healthcare level would still need NHIS coverage.
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