President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the Ghana Medical Trust Fund — branded “MahamaCares” — a flagship initiative providing financial support for Ghanaians battling chronic, non-communicable diseases including cancers, kidney failure, stroke, and cardiovascular illness.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Mahama said the Fund directly addresses the gap left by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which does not cover advanced specialist treatment for catastrophic illnesses.
What the Fund Covers
Patients with kidney failure requiring dialysis will be referred to MahamaCares for free dialysis treatment at accredited centres nationwide. Other covered conditions include:
- All cancer treatments — chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical oncology
- End-stage chronic kidney disease — dialysis and transplant support
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Heart attack and advanced cardiovascular care
- Chronic pulmonary disease
Funding
The Government has allocated GH₵2.1 billion to MahamaCares in the 2026 fiscal year. Mahama appealed to corporate Ghana, the diaspora, faith-based organisations, and development partners to contribute, framing the Fund as a national solidarity instrument rather than a partisan project.
“No Ghanaian should have to choose between their life and their family’s home,” Mahama said. “MahamaCares is the next pillar after the National Health Insurance Scheme — and it is built to last beyond any government.”
Implementation
The Fund is anchored at the Ministry of Health and operationalised through a Taskforce inaugurated earlier this month. Patients access support through a referral pathway from any NHIS-accredited facility — no separate enrolment required. The first claims will be processed within 14 days, according to Health Minister Dr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
Reaction
The Ghana Medical Association, the Cancer Society of Ghana, and the Renal Patients Association of Ghana issued joint statements welcoming the launch. The Cancer Society called it the “single most consequential policy intervention” for Ghanaian cancer patients in two decades.
Source: Office of the President / Ministry of Health Ghana
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