Parliament approves Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill to support chronic illness care

By Eugene Davis

Government has secured parliamentary approval for the establishment of a dedicated fund to support specialised medical care for chronic and life-threatening conditions, including cancer, stroke, kidney failure, and diabetes.

The approval of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025 — popularly referred to as the Mahama Cares Programme — marks a major milestone in the country’s healthcare reforms. The Bill aims to provide financial support to Ghanaians suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), thereby improving access to critical healthcare services.

A 2024 survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and Ghana Statistical Service — in collaboration with development partners using WHO’s STEPwise approach — revealed that NCDs account for 45% of deaths in Ghana. The nationwide study, conducted across 16 regions and 385 communities with 5,438 participants aged 18–69, underscores the growing burden of chronic diseases.

The Health Committee’s report noted that the high cost of treating conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and kidney failure significantly contributes to mortality. The Bill therefore seeks to reduce the economic burden on patients and support the provision of specialist care through a dedicated fund.

Citing extensive stakeholder consultations and the urgent need to address Ghana’s rising NCD cases, the Committee recommended the Bill be passed under a certificate of urgency to fast-track the operationalisation of the Fund.

However, the Bill did not pass without controversy. During the debate, the Minority Caucus strongly opposed a key provision—allocating 20% of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) levy to finance the new Fund. They warned that diverting this portion of NHIS resources could undermine the scheme’s ability to deliver essential health services, given its existing funding and operational constraints.

Despite the objections, the Bill was approved by a majority vote in Parliament.

Addressing the media following the vote, Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh defended the allocation, stressing that the Fund is necessary to provide critical financial relief to patients and families facing overwhelming medical costs.

Once operational, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund will provide full or partial financial coverage for expensive treatments, surgeries, and medications. The rollout will be phased, with further details — including eligibility criteria, governance structure, and operational guidelines — to be outlined in subsidiary legislation.