The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) last week donated GHS2.2 million worth of medicines to contribute to the success of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the MahamaCares.

Items donated by the organization included pain medication, blood tonics, anti-malaria drugs, cardiovascular and anti-diabetic medicines, and asthma management treatments.

While presenting the items, PMAG President Dr Samuel Tobbin, remarked that the donation seeks to restore “hope and dignity to the thousands of Ghanaians who rely on public health support."

“We believe that the MahamaCares Initiative presents a timely opportunity to demonstrate the power of local industry in driving national development,” he added.

Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, expressed appreciation to PMAG for the donation, assuring the group that the medications would immediately be sent to the appropriate health facilities.

The government in April this year unveiled the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across the country.

The initiative continues to receive major support from stakeholders. Some 11 agencies under the Ministry of the Interior have collectively donated GH¢1 million to the initiative.

The breakdown of the contributions made by the agencies is as follows: Ghana Police Service (GH¢580,000), Ghana Immigration Service (GH¢100,000), Ghana National Fire Service (GH¢50,000), National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) (GH¢50,000), and the Ghana Prisons Service (GH¢50,000).

Others include the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) (GH¢10,000), National Identification Authority (NIA) (GH¢50,000), Gaming Commission (GH¢50,000), Ghana Refugees Board (GH¢5,000), National Peace Council (GH¢5,000) and the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission (GH¢10,000).

The Minister for the Interior and National Security, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, also made a personal contribution of GH¢50,000, while the Deputy Minister for the Interior, Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, also donated GH¢30,000.

President Mahama has committed to donating 50 percent of his annual salary to the Fund. Health Minister Mintah Akandoh also followed suit, announcing a three-month salary donation to back the initiative. He further disclosed that several cabinet colleagues had joined the cause, including Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare and Gender Minister Naa Momo Lartey, who pledged one month’s salary each.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has pledged four months of her salary to support the fund. Telecel Ghana has pledged to support the initiative by equipping three (3) healthcare centers with HPV testing kits, digital colposcopes, and biopsy instruments.

The donation, which will also cover operational costs for these facilities over two years, is expected to enable the screening of at least 5,000 women in the first year, offering free diagnostic services to underserved communities.

Additionally, Alive Industries has donated GH₵500,000.00, East Cantonment Pharmacy has contributed GH50,000.00, and KMI Energies has supported the initiative with GH₵5,000.00. Service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) donated one month's basic salary to support the initiative.

To ensure broad-based participation, the President has directed all government appointees to contribute the equivalent of at least one month’s salary to the Fund. In addition, the general public has been encouraged to make contributions through the short code *255#, accessible on all mobile networks.