Parliament has given the green light to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025 — widely referred to as the Mahama Cares Programme — setting the stage for a national fund dedicated to supporting patients battling chronic and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, and stroke.
The bill’s approval, though significant, came amid sharp disagreement.
The Minority Caucus raised serious objections to the decision to finance the fund by diverting 20 percent of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) levy.
They warned that this move could undercut the NHIS, which is already struggling with limited resources and systemic inefficiencies.
“This could cripple the NHIS’s ability to deliver basic healthcare to the wider population,” Minority MPs argued during the debate.
Despite the pushback, the legislation passed by majority vote.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh defended the funding model, describing it as necessary to meet the growing demand for specialised care.
Speaking to journalists after the vote, he said the Fund would “ease the financial burden on families who otherwise cannot afford these treatments.”
Once rolled out, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund will help cover high medical costs through phased implementation.
Full details on how it will operate, including eligibility and oversight mechanisms, are expected in subsequent regulations.
