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Ghana Launches "Mahama Cares" Medical Trust Fund to Aid Chronic Disease Patients

3 weeks ago

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Accra, April 29, 2025 – The Ghanaian government has officially unveiled the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, branded as Mahama Cares, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra. The initiative aims to provide critical financial assistance to citizens battling chronic illnesses such as kidney failure, cancer, and heart diseases—conditions that place a heavy burden on individuals and the country’s healthcare system.

President John Dramani Mahama, who led the launch event, emphasized the importance of broad-based support for the fund and appealed to the business community to contribute as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

“As part of your CSR, any contribution you make should be seen as an investment in your own workforce and clientele,” the President urged. “I encourage both private and public sector organizations to allocate a portion of their CSR budgets annually to the Ghana Medical Fund. This fund will have a transformative impact on our nation’s healthcare.”

Joining the President at the launch was Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who hailed the fund as a much-needed solution to promote equity in access to healthcare.

Akandoh revealed that legislative preparations for the fund are already in motion: “The draft bill for Mahama Care is complete and will be submitted as soon as Parliament reconvenes.”

In a major policy development, the Minister also announced the lifting of the cap on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a move expected to free up significant financial resources.

“The removal of the NHIS cap has unlocked substantial funding. A portion of these funds will now be dedicated to supporting the Mahama Care Programme,” Akandoh stated.

With chronic diseases continuing to rise across Ghana, the Mahama Cares fund is seen as a critical step toward strengthening the country's healthcare safety net and ensuring that no Ghanaian is left behind in the fight for access to life-saving treatment.