By Ashiadey Dotse
The Government of Ghana has officially launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the ‘MahamaCares’ initiative, a bold new health intervention aimed at protecting lives, preserving dignity, and strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh described the initiative as a major step forward in the nation’s effort to support people suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure, and stroke.
”This is a promise fulfilled,” he said, highlighting that the fund was a key pledge made by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2024 election campaign. The fund is designed to offer financial support to individuals battling long-term illnesses that are often costly and difficult to treat.
According to the World Health Organization, NCDs accounted for 75% of non-pandemic deaths worldwide in 2021. In Ghana, these diseases cause 43% of all deaths, with a growing impact on young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 the most productive group in the population.
Minister Akandoh noted that the average cost of treating chronic diseases in Ghana is about GHS 53,000 per patient per year. Over 60% of families dealing with such illnesses face financial hardship, and some spend nearly all their non-food income on healthcare. “We must act now to prevent more families from falling into poverty simply because they are sick,” he urged.
The Mahama Care Fund will mobilize resources to cover gaps left by the National Health Insurance Scheme, focusing on specialist-level treatment and early diagnosis. It also includes capacity-building programs to train more healthcare professionals.
A recent public survey showed overwhelming support for the initiative, with 79% of Ghanaians believing the fund is necessary and more than half willing to contribute to it regularly.
Three major milestones have already been achieved: a comprehensive policy document has been completed, a draft bill is ready to be presented to Parliament, and a significant financial barrier has been removed with the lifting of the cap on the National Health Insurance Fund.
The Minister called on all health agencies and partners to support the full implementation of the fund, saying, “Together, we can ensure the success of this life-changing initiative.”
