Health · Richard Boateng Opoku-Ofori
MahamaCares engages Eastern Region stakeholders on support for chronic disease patients
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, GMTF, popularly known as MahamaCares, has engaged stakeholders in the Eastern Region to educate the public on its operations, eligibility requirements and support available to patients suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases.
The engagement, held in Koforidua, forms part of the Fund’s nationwide stakeholder consultations aimed at deepening public understanding of its mandate and improving access to specialised healthcare.
The Fund was established to provide financial assistance to eligible patients suffering from chronic conditions, including cancer, kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases, while helping to reduce the financial burden on affected families.
To qualify for support, applicants must be Ghanaian citizens enrolled on the National Health Insurance Scheme and diagnosed with a chronic disease covered by the Fund.
The Fund initially covered eight cancers but has expanded its scope to include eight additional conditions: uterine, ovarian, liver and colorectal cancers, cardiovascular and neurosurgical conditions, kidney transplant and osteosarcoma.
It currently has 29 accredited hospitals across the country providing treatment under the programme, including the Eastern Regional Hospital. Four additional hospitals are expected to be added.
As part of efforts to strengthen specialised healthcare delivery, the Fund is working towards establishing three cardiology centres at the Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching Hospitals.
It is also partnering with private investors to establish an oncology centre at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, with plans to extend the project to the Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching Hospitals.
During its pilot phase, the Fund supported 80 cases, including heart and brain surgeries, spending approximately four million Ghana cedis on surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and supportive care. Beneficiaries have been reached in 13 regions through 11 partner hospitals.
The Administrator of the Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said MahamaCares was introduced to address the financial difficulties families face when a member is diagnosed with a serious chronic disease.
She said the Fund would not only provide financial assistance for specialised treatment but also work towards improving the health facilities and services needed by patients.
She added that a nationwide assessment of health facilities had helped identify gaps and guide the Fund’s four main areas of intervention.
The Eastern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Damien Punguyire, urged residents to embrace the Free Primary Health Care Policy through regular medical screening and early detection of diseases.
He stressed the need for the National Health Insurance Scheme ,NHIS, and MahamaCares to work together to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery and reduce pressure on the Trust Fund.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei-Awatey, assured the Fund’s management of the region’s support and called on health facility managers to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public resources.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about the Fund’s application procedures, eligibility requirements and how members of the public could contribute to its operations.