The government is considering including Hepatitis B screening under the proposed Free Primary Healthcare programme as part of efforts to improve early detection and prevent the spread of the disease, Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has disclosed.

The Minister made the announcement when he appeared before Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee to account for commitments made by the Ministry of Health.

According to Mr. Akandoh, although the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) already covers the diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis B, government intends to strengthen public education and expand access to early screening to reduce infections.

He explained that preventing transmission from birth remains a key component of the country’s strategy to tackle the disease.

“It’s one of the strategies we are putting in place to stop it right from birth. The diagnostics and the treatment are covered by the National Health Insurance, but one thing we need to intensify is public education and early detection. So maybe, as part of the Free Primary Healthcare programme that is coming on board, we may also, going forward, look at Hepatitis B,” the Minister told the Committee.

Mr. Akandoh noted that integrating Hepatitis B screening into the Free Primary Healthcare programme would help identify infections at an early stage, improve access to treatment and reduce the long-term burden of the disease on individuals and the health system.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding preventive healthcare interventions as government works to improve health outcomes across the country.

The Government Assurance Committee said it would continue to monitor the Ministry’s plans to ensure commitments made under the proposed Free Primary Healthcare programme are fully implemented.