The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has inaugurated a technical taskforce to oversee the implementation of the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, known as MahamaCares.
The fund aims to provide financial relief to Ghanaians suffering from chronic and non-communicable diseases.
Chaired by Prof. Emeritus Seth Aryeetey, a former Provost of the College of Health Sciences, the team that was inaugurated in Accra, yesterday, was made up of Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Emeritus Binka, a public health consultant, Prof. Margaret Kweku, Dr Alfred Doku, a representative of the National Health Insurance Trust Fund, Dr Radolph Nsor-Ambala, Dr Anthony Gingong, a financing and health policy expert, Dr Anthony Seddoh, a lawyer, Anna Pearl Akiwumi Siriboe, and a public health consultant, Dr Belinda Afriyie, who serves as the secretary.
The mandate of the taskforce includes developing a robust policy framework, designing a sustainable funding model and establishing fair eligibility and disbursement criteria for the smooth running of the MahamaCares.
Mr Akandoh urged the team to execute its duties diligently, saying, “Your efforts will not only shape policies, but will save lives and restore hope to families in need.”
He stressed the need for collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and civil society, to promote healthcare.
He noted that the success of MahamaCares depended on the collective efforts of everyone, and also asked the taskforce to ensure no Ghanaian was denied treatment due to financial constraints.
Director General of the Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, lamented the financial and emotional burden chronic diseases imposed on families.
He stated that the initiative would bring equity and relief, ensuring financial constraints no longer hindered access to quality healthcare.
“This initiative aligns with Ghana’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and will accelerate efforts to build a strong primary healthcare system,” the minister explained.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) reiterated the urgency in addressing non-communicable diseases, stating that MahamaCares would ensure that “no chronically ill person is left behind due to financial hardship.”
He expressed confidence that with public-private partnership, the initiative would succeed in restoring dignity to the healthcare system.
Prof. Aryeetey said the assignment to the taskforce was a privilege, and assured that the team would work diligently to fulfill the objectives of the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund.
“We wholeheartedly accept this task and will give our best for the betterment of the Ghanaian people,” he promised.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU