The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the MahamaCares initiative, has been launched to provide specialist care for Ghanaians aged 18 to 45 living with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The fund, announced by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, aims to address the growing burden of NCDs in Ghana.
Priority Conditions
The fund will prioritize care for conditions such as:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Complications from hypertension
- Chronic kidney failure
- Stroke
Financial Burden
According to Minister Akandoh, the high cost of treatment for chronic diseases has become a heavy burden for many families. The average cost of care is around GH¢53,000 per patient, and individuals diagnosed with chronic conditions have a 75% chance of falling into poverty within five years.
Public Support
A recent survey involving over 3,300 Ghanaians showed strong public backing for the initiative, with more than half of those surveyed expressing a willingness to contribute monthly to the fund.
Implementation
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is consistent with the country’s existing health policies, including the 2020 National Health Policy and Ghana’s Roadmap for Attaining Universal Health Coverage from 2020 to 2030. The Minister has urged all institutions under the Ministry of Health to support the rollout of the initiative.
