Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra. This initiative is a significant step towards alleviating the financial strain on individuals suffering from chronic diseases.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama fulfilled a campaign promise by introducing the Fund, which aims to provide specialist-level treatment for chronic diseases such as cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, and stroke. The support will focus on expenses not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), requiring formal applications that undergo thorough vetting.
The Fund’s financial backing will primarily come from the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), alongside direct government budgetary support, voluntary contributions from corporates, institutions, and individuals, as well as grants and donations. It also has provisions to invest and generate income.
President Mahama highlighted that the Mahama Cares initiative is a critical measure to address the rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana. He emphasized that combating NCDs is intrinsically linked to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3, which aims to ensure health and well-being for all.
The President noted that NCDs are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries like Ghana. He stressed that these diseases exacerbate poverty, widen social inequality, and hinder economic development, affecting vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare and lower income levels.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Mahama pointed out that NCDs consistently rank among the top causes of death in Ghana, with a significant rise in hospitalized cancer cases from 2012 to 2016. He attributed this trend to lifestyle changes and environmental factors, warning that the cost of treatment can devastate low-income families.
He elaborated that individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases face a high risk of poverty due to high treatment costs, with some spending the majority of their non-food expenditure on healthcare. Despite the NHIS’s efforts, essential NCD-related services remain inadequately covered, posing a financial burden on families.
In response to this challenge, Mahama directed the Health Minister to establish the Ghana Medical Trust Fund shortly after his election, as outlined in the National Democratic Congress’s 2024 People’s Manifesto. The President commended Reverend Emeritus Professor Seth Aryeetey and the National Task Force for their dedication to establishing the Fund.
Health Minister Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage, aligning the Fund with key national health policies. He announced plans to present the Bill for the Mahama Cares Fund to Parliament upon its return from recess.
Reverend Emeritus Prof Aryeetey encouraged widespread support for the Fund, presenting a $1,000 check, while UGMC’s CEO, Dr. Kwame Anim-Boamah, pledged GHS100,000, expressing gratitude for Mahama’s leadership in strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.
