President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to launch a new healthcare initiative aimed at alleviating the financial burden of chronic illnesses in Ghana.
During his ‘thank you tour’ stop in the Central Region on February 6, Mahama detailed his vision for the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares, a programme designed to provide financial assistance for individuals battling chronic conditions such as kidney and liver diseases, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular ailments.
“We will continue to enhance our healthcare infrastructure, making improvements across all levels of the system,” Mahama said, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing healthcare reform. The Mahama Cares initiative is positioned as a key part of his broader strategy to address the rising costs of medical treatment, particularly for patients with long-term illnesses.
In addition to this new fund, Mahama revealed plans to reform the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy.
This move would ensure that the full amount collected from the levy is directed to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), allowing for better funding of healthcare facilities that provide treatment to NHIS cardholders.
“These measures are essential for strengthening our healthcare system and making quality medical treatment more accessible to all Ghanaians,” Mr Mahama added, positioning his policies as crucial steps toward reducing the financial strain on patients and improving healthcare access nationwide.
