Accra: Mrs Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, the Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahamacares), has announced that the Fund's Patient Support Programme will initially be delivered through 29 strategically selected hospitals across the country, ensuring equitable access for all Ghanaians.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Darko-Opoku made the announcement at the Government Accountability Series Press Conference held at the Presidency in Accra. The designated hospitals include Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, Sunyani Teaching Hospital, and Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, among others.
Mrs. Darko-Opoku emphasized that applicants for the support under the Trust Fund must meet three basic eligibility requirements: being a Ghanaian citizen, an active NHIS card bearer, and having a medical condition that falls within the approved conditions supported under the Fund. She clarified that the application process is digital and initiated by specialist clinicians at the enlisted hospitals via a dedicated digital platform.
The nationwide patient support programme is set to officially commence in June, following the approval of a pilot phase by the Board of Trustees of the Mahamacares Fund. This pilot phase, which involved 50 patients in February, allowed the Fund to test systems for patient onboarding, treatment monitoring, and claims management.
During the pilot phase, over GHS4.8 million was expended on treatments including heart surgeries, brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and orthopaedic surgeries. Beneficiaries ranged from six months to 85 years and were treated across 11 hospitals.
Furthermore, Mrs. Darko-Opoku announced the construction of three state-of-the-art Cardiology Centres at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, and Tamale Teaching Hospital, in partnership with the Ministry of Health. These centres will significantly expand Ghana's capacity for cardiology and vascular interventions.
The Trust Fund has also facilitated the distribution of critical medical equipment to various hospitals and entered into partnerships with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to expand specialist training centres.
In launching the Mahamacares Fund in April 2025, President John Dramani Mahama donated his six-month salary to the Fund, fulfilling a campaign promise aimed at relieving the financial burden of chronic disease sufferers. He also encouraged his appointees to contribute, leading to a total of GHS 6.1 million being transferred to the Fund following his directive.