{
  "id": 14280219,
  "title": "No family should be crushed by the cost of chronic illness – GMTF",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/no-family-should-be-crushed-by-the-cost-of-chronic-illness-gmtf",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-13T19:30:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/no-family-should-be-crushed-by-the-cost-of-chronic-illness-gmtf/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) is intensifying its efforts to shield families from the financial strain of treating chronic illnesses, expanding its healthcare initiative to the Volta Region. At a town hall meeting in Ho, the Fund convened traditional authorities, faith-based organizations, health professionals, students, community members, and other stakeholders to amplify public awareness of its mission, the aid available to eligible patients, and the process for accessing assistance. This engagement was part of the Fund's nationwide educational campaign aimed at ensuring those living with cancer and other chronic non-communicable diseases are informed of available support and do not face the financial burden alone.\n\nChancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Lydia Aziator, highlighted the GMTF as a pivotal intervention for patients and families grappling with the high cost of managing chronic conditions. She emphasized the critical role of early detection, particularly in breast cancer awareness, urging women to seek medical attention promptly at the first sign of unusual symptoms. Prof. Aziator also appealed to women diagnosed with cancer, urging them not to let stigma, fear, or public perception deter them from seeking treatment, asserting that the GMTF's financial assistance offers hope to patients who might otherwise struggle to afford specialized care.\n\nThe Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, underscored the significance of the sensitization exercise in educating residents about the GMTF's purpose and how eligible patients could benefit from its interventions. He stressed that the initiative aimed to alleviate the financial burden on households overwhelmed by the cost of treating chronic diseases and enhance access to quality healthcare. Mr. Gunu called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), civil society organizations, and the media to disseminate the message across the region and urged healthcare professionals to assist patients in understanding and navigating the support procedures.\n\nAdministrative efforts by the GMTF Administrator, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, emphasized the need for the Fund to be closely aligned with the people, providing clear information about its mandate and how patients could access its support. The Fund's establishment aimed to assist households facing financial difficulties in caring for relatives with chronic non-communicable diseases; however, Darko-Opoku cautioned that financial assistance alone would be ineffective without the necessary healthcare facilities and infrastructure. She stressed the importance of bolstering the capacity of the Ho Teaching Hospital and the University of Health and Allied Sciences to deliver specialized healthcare services, stressing that patients' access to treatment depends on both their ability to afford care and the availability of adequate facilities and equipment.\n\nThe GMTF Administrator appealed to political leaders, health professionals, and other stakeholders to collaborate in identifying and reaching families in need of assistance, emphasizing the necessity of sustained public education to ensure eligible patients understand the Fund's mandate and the procedures for seeking support. The Volta Region engagement is part of the GMTF's broader nationwide campaign to expand awareness of specialized healthcare assistance, strengthen partnerships among stakeholders, and improve access to treatment for individuals living with chronic non-communicable diseases.",
  "summary": "The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) has intensified its drive to protect families from the crippling cost of treating chronic diseases, taking its specialised healthcare campaign to the Volta Region with a call for stronger collaboration to ensure that financial hardship does not stand between patients and life-saving treatment. At a town hall meeting in […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}