The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, is expanding financial assistance for eligible patients requiring specialised treatment while investing in medical equipment, healthcare infrastructure and specialist training across Ghana

Dr Norbert Mantu Kipo, Policy Advisor to the Administrator of the Fund, disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement at the In-Service Training Centre in Bolgatanga, where health-sector stakeholders discussed the implementation of the programme and ways to improve access to specialised healthcare in the Upper East Region

He said the Fund was established to help reduce the financial burden of treating serious illnesses, particularly chronic non-communicable diseases that may not be fully covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)

According to him, the programme supports eligible patients through approved treatment packages, with applications initiated by specialists at participating health facilities and assessed by the Fund before support is granted

Eligible applicants must be Ghanaian nationals with active NHIS membership and a condition covered under the Fund’s approved benefits. Payments are made directly to approved healthcare providers for authorised services rather than to patients

The Fund’s official guidance states that eligibility does not automatically guarantee assistance, as applications are subject to clinical assessment, approval requirements and the applicable treatment package

Dr Kipo said the Fund was expanding its interventions to improve access to specialised treatment, including support for additional medical conditions and investment in equipment required for advanced diagnosis and care

He indicated that procurement processes had been completed for several categories of medical equipment, including computed tomography (CT) scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, mammography machines, ventilators and patient-monitoring devices, with preparations underway for deployment to beneficiary hospitals

The equipment programme is intended to strengthen the capacity of healthcare facilities to diagnose and manage complex medical conditions and improve access to services beyond the country’s major urban centres

The Fund’s broader strategy also includes investment in specialist training and the development of healthcare infrastructure to address gaps in the availability of advanced medical services

The initiative includes the development of specialised cardiac care facilities in Tamale and Kumasi to improve access to cardiovascular treatment and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialist services

The Tamale Teaching Hospital has separately confirmed that it is developing a cardiology centre expected to include a cardiac catheterisation laboratory and supporting facilities. The project is intended to strengthen advanced cardiovascular care for patients in northern Ghana and neighbouring areas

The expansion forms part of the Fund’s wider effort to address gaps in specialised healthcare infrastructure, equipment and human resources

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund operates alongside the NHIS and supports specialised treatment under approved conditions and benefit packages

Its official guidance identifies eight cancers in its initial treatment package: five childhood cancers and three adult cancers covering breast, cervical and prostate cancer. Other conditions fall within the Fund’s broader mandate, but implementation is being phased, meaning patients should confirm whether their specific condition and proposed treatment are currently covered

Patients seeking assistance must be assessed by a specialist, who initiates the application through the appropriate healthcare facility. The Fund then reviews the application and communicates its decision

The Fund also advises patients to confirm approval before proceeding with non-emergency services, as expenses incurred without the required authorisation are not ordinarily reimbursed

The Bolgatanga stakeholder engagement provided an opportunity for health-sector representatives to discuss the implementation of MahamaCares and identify measures to improve access to specialist services in the Upper East Region

The programme’s success will depend not only on financial support for eligible patients but also on the availability of trained professionals, functioning medical equipment, effective referral systems and participating facilities capable of delivering the required services

For residents of northern Ghana, expanding specialist capacity closer to home could help reduce travel-related costs and improve access to timely diagnosis and treatment

Source – gbcuraonline.com

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