First Lady Lordina Mahama has urged persons with chronic health conditions to make use of President John Dramani Mahama's health programme, Mahama Cares.

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According to her, the initiative is to ease the financial burden on individuals managing long-term illnesses.

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She made the remarks while speaking on Saturday, June 7, at the third edition of a free health screening for over 145 retired Assemblies of God ministers and their spouses in Accra.

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The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), officially launched on April 29 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra, is a flagship health support programme aimed at providing financial assistance to Ghanaians battling chronic illnesses not adequately covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

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At the launch, President Mahama committed to donating 50 percent of his annual salary to the Fund, signaling strong leadership and personal commitment to healthcare equity.

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Telecel Ghana, Alive Industries, East Cantonment Pharmacy, and KMI Energies have joined the list of benefactors that have assisted the initiative with their donation.

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Telecel Ghana has pledged to support the initiative by equipping three (3) healthcare centers with HPV testing kits, digital colposcopes, and biopsy instruments.

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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.

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Additionally, Alive Industries has donated ₵500,000.00, East Cantonment Pharmacy has contributed ₵50,000.00, and KMI Energies has supported the initiative with ₵5,000.00.

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The Ministry of Health has expressed its appreciation to the institutions for their generous contributions.

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On Friday, May 16, service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) donated one month's basic salary to support the initiative.

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Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier General William Agyapong, made this donation known to President John Mahama during a courtesy visit.

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“We are intrigued, and it is heartwarming to know that persons with conditions such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, stroke, among many others, will equally benefit from this fund. Your Excellency, that is why my military command and I have decided to contribute our one-month basic salary to the fund,” he said.

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On his part, the president expressed gratitude to the military command for their donation, highlighting their love the country.

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“Let me take this opportunity to thank our high command for this initiative. It shows that aside from your primary responsibility of protecting our territorial boundaries and wielding weapons, you have a heart and soul beating in your chest.

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"You have love for the country and love for the people you are protecting. On behalf of the people of Ghana, I thank you for this,” he said.

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Health Minister Mintah Akandoh has 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 have both pledged one month’s salary each.

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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.

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Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has pledged four months of her salary to support the fund.

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In addition, the general public has been encouraged to make contributions through the short code *255#, accessible on all mobile networks.

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