{
  "id": 14869848,
  "title": "Why ‘Mahama Cares’ must be cared for",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/why-mahama-cares-must-be-cared-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T04:44:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/why-mahama-cares-must-be-cared-for-2/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, known colloquially as Mahama Cares, plays a vital role in Ghana's healthcare financing landscape. Established by Act 1144 in July 2025, the Fund steps in to assist eligible patients seeking specialized treatment for ailments like cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular issues, strokes, and diabetes. Complementing the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and Free Primary Healthcare, Mahama Cares helps close the funding gap for high-cost specialized care.\n\nUpon its debut, Administrator Obuobia Darko-Opoku received commendation for his pivotal role in bringing this vision to life, having been honored at the Young Professionals and Youth Coalition Awards at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, in 2023. Kudos are extended to the entire team behind the initiative.\n\nDuring its pilot phase, the GMTF supported 50 cases, covering patients aged between six months to 85 across 11 hospitals. At the National Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, 15 patients were sponsored, with over 150 onboarded, including more than 110 children. The Centre's Head, Dr Kow Entsua-Mensah, reported that the Fund's efforts included replacing the cardiac catheterisation laboratory by the end of July 2026, enabling more than 60 patients to undergo intricate life-saving procedures.\n\nThe necessity for such support is evident. According to the 2023 STEPS Survey, a nationally representative study of adults aged 18 to 69, roughly 22% of Ghanaian adults exhibit elevated blood pressure, equivalent to approximately 3.7 million adults. An estimated 1.9 million Ghanaians with high blood pressure remain unaware of their condition and are not on medication. Non-communicable diseases are responsible for nearly half of all fatalities in Ghana. The financial strain is substantial as well. A 2024 study by the University of Ghana's Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) examined 217 breast cancer patients across three public hospitals, revealing a median first-year treatment cost of approximately GH¢31,000, based on 2019 prices. Public facility patients incurred a median cost of GH¢30,000, while private facility patients faced a median cost of GH¢55,000. Approximately 38% of the total cost consisted of indirect expenses, such as productivity losses impacting both patients and their families.\n\nNow, the question turns to sustainability. Can Mahama Cares remain fiscally viable as costs escalate? Ghana requires a national strategy to finance chronic disease care sustainably, anchored on four essential priorities. Firstly, reliable national data must be established. The government should leverage existing health information systems to estimate the number of individuals with conditions eligible for GMTF support, along with the associated care costs from diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation. While the 2023 STEPS Survey serves as a useful baseline, ongoing data enhancement is imperative for continuous planning. Without precise estimates of disease burden, treatment expenses, and future demand, determining required funding and the number of patients to support remains challenging.\n\nSecond, complementing private health insurance is crucial. Employer-sponsored private health insurance can supplement NHIS coverage. The Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) Cancer Foundation exemplifies member-based financing, with about 260,000 GNAT members contributing GH¢5.00 monthly to a cancer fund that supports members and dependents. However, these contributions are insufficient to meet the rising number of cancer diagnoses yearly. The government could explore legally approved incentives for employers and labor organizations offering additional health insurance to their workforce and beneficiaries. Private-sector contributions and philanthropy could also bolster public financing, provided such arrangements maintain transparency, predictability, and independent auditing.\n\nThird, strengthening prevention through NHIS is vital. NHIS should incorporate age- and risk-appropriate screening within its approved benefits and utilize digital reminders to prompt members to seek these services. Ghana's hypertension burden underscores the importance of prevention, early detection, and effective management. The STEPS Survey found that only about 10% of individuals with hypertension had their condition under control. Free Primary Healthcare provides an accessible platform for screening and early intervention at the community and primary-care levels.\n\nLastly, fortifying accountability, monitoring, and evaluation is essential. The GMTF should publish annual reports detailing funds received, funds disbursed, patients assisted, services delivered, and outstanding financial obligations. Transparent reporting allows citizens, policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to monitor and evaluate the Fund's performance and anticipate resource needs for sustainability.\n\nAs Ghana's chronic disease burden intensifies, Mahama Cares must be nurtured through sustainable financing, evidence-based planning, prevention, accountability, monitoring, and evaluation. Its success will be evident in whether Ghanaians receive the necessary treatment without financial hardship or resorting to family, friends, religious institutions, and social media for assistance. By ensuring the Fund delivers the required treatment without placing undue financial strain on individuals or families, Ghana can enhance the health and quality of life for its citizens.",
  "summary": "THE Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), popularly known as Mahama Cares, is an important addition to Ghana’s health financing system. Established under Act 1144 in July 2025, it provides financial support to eligible patients who need specialised treatment for conditions such as cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. The Fund is meant to … The post Why ‘Mahama Cares’…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ghanaian Times",
        "title": "Why ‘Mahama Cares’ must be cared for",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/why-mahama-cares-must-be-cared-for",
        "published": "2026-10-15T06:21:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}