By: Baba Mohammed Issahak
The Government of Ghana has launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) to provide financial support for individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as kidney failure, cancer, and heart conditions.
The initiative was officially launched by President H.E. John Dramani Mahama at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra on Tuesday. The Fund aims to bridge the financial gap in healthcare, especially for patients grappling with the high cost of long-term treatment.
In the president’s address, H.E. John Dramani Mahama called on the private sector to contribute to the fund as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
“I want to encourage corporate Ghana, businesses, the mines, the banks, and all the other companies, that this Ghana Medical Trust Fund is coming to your clients who save their monies in your banks or do business with you. Some of them are even your own staff,” he emphasized.
He added that contributions to the Fund would not only benefit society at large but could also directly support the health and well-being of the companies’ own employees and customers.
Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the launch as a timely and necessary intervention to ensure equitable access to healthcare in Ghana. He announced that a draft bill outlining the operational structure and governance of the Fund has been prepared and will be submitted to Parliament after its next sitting.
“The draft bill for the Mahama Care is ready and will be submitted immediately after Parliament resumes,” the Minister said.
The minister further revealed that the removal of the cap on the National Health Insurance Scheme has unlocked additional resources, enabling a dedicated allocation of funds to support the Mahama Cares programme.
