Accra: The Government has allocated GHS2.1 billion (US$200 million) to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known as MahamaCares, President John Dramani Mahama has announced. The allocation, he explained, was necessitated by the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, which remain the nation's major cause of morbidity.
According to Ghana News Agency, President Mahama highlighted that non-communicable diseases account for over 45 per cent of Ghana's morbidity. He noted that conditions like cancer, cardiac incidents, high blood pressure, diabetes, and organ failures have become prevalent due to changing lifestyles. The President made these remarks during his keynote address at the World Health Expo (WHX) Leaders Africa 2025 meeting in Accra, emphasizing the theme of catalyzing Africa's health revolution through investment, innovation, impact, and infrastructure.
WHX Leaders is recognized as a significant assembly of Heads of State, Ministers, industry pioneers, and global investors committed to transforming Africa's healthcare landscape. This year's summit aims to unlock strategic investments, create groundbreaking alliances, and drive actions to build resilient, world-class healthcare systems across the continent.
President Mahama pointed out that while funds under MahamaCares are ready to commence payment of claims and enroll individuals on the program, the absence of diagnostic equipment in numerous public hospitals remains a significant challenge. He stated that essential equipment like MRI and CT scans are often broken down or unavailable, with limited cancer treatment options outside major cities like Accra and Kumasi.
Reflecting on his earlier tenure as Vice President, President Mahama recalled government efforts to upgrade hospital equipment, costing over US$250 million, including MRI machines, CT scans, and X-ray machines. However, he expressed concern that some hospitals now lack functioning equipment, forcing patients to seek services in private facilities.
He underscored the necessity of public-private partnerships (PPPs) for sustainable healthcare delivery, stressing that disparities in access to care are unacceptable. He cited instances where patients from northern regions must travel to cities like Accra or Kumasi for specialized treatments.
President Mahama assured that the government is committed to investing in diagnostics and treatment facilities through partnerships with the private sector to prevent past oversights. He called upon the private sector to collaborate with the government in achieving universal healthcare in Ghana.
MahamaCares is a government initiative designed to provide financial support for Ghanaians suffering from serious, costly chronic illnesses, including cancer, kidney failure, and heart disease, which are not fully covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).