The government has announced plans to cover half of the cost for patients receiving dialysis treatment at private health facilities. This information was made known by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on Monday, October 14, during the inauguration of a 13-member governing board for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as ‘Mahama Cares’.

“The current arrangement for payment of dialysis is that if you go to public health facilities, we have a maximum amount of money we pay per session—that’s around 499, something about 500 Ghana cedis. What we have realized is that there are people who also go to private facilities, and so, it’s a necessity; the President has directed us to give what is paid to the public facilities.

“So, for example, if you go to private facility A and they are charging you 1,000 Ghana cedis, the government will pay the 500 Ghana cedis, and you top up, to be fair to everybody. So, the CEO for the National Health Insurance has been directed accordingly to take up that challenge,” he added.

According to reports, out of every one million Ghanaians, 24 individuals suffer from end-stage renal disease. Earlier this year, the Mahama-led government laid before Parliament the Mahama Cares Bill.

The Bill, which was opposed by the Minority, who warned that it could put a strain on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) budget and its operations, was passed following several deliberations.

The Mahama Cares Fund aims to play a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare access for many Ghanaians, particularly those battling chronic diseases and unable to afford the necessary medical treatment.

The fund is also designed to alleviate the financial burden faced by patients in need of life-saving medical care.

In April, the government unveiled the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to provide financial aid to those battling chronic conditions such as kidney failure, cancer, and heart disease.

The launch event took place at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The ceremony saw the attendance of key stakeholders from the healthcare sector and the corporate world.

President John Dramani Mahama, who officially introduced the fund, called on the private sector to support Mahama Cares as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“I want to encourage corporate Ghana, businesses, the mines, the banks, and all the other companies, that this Ghana Medical Trust Fund is coming to your clients who save their monies in your banks or do business with you. Some of them are even your own staff.

“So, as part of your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), if you give anything, consider that you are giving to your own staff or customers. So, I would like to encourage all corporations in Ghana, both private and public, to at the end of the year, donate some portion of their annual CSR to Ghana Medical Fund because it is going to do a lot of good to the country,” he stated.

At the launch, President Mahama committed to donating the first six months of his salary to the Fund. Health Minister Mintah Akandoh has also announced 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.

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.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, expressed his support for the initiative, describing it as long overdue. He emphasized that the fund would ensure equitable access to healthcare, particularly for individuals facing financial barriers to treatment.

“The draft bill for the Mahama Care is ready and will be submitted immediately Parliament resumes,” he confirmed.

Akandoh also announced a significant policy change to strengthen the programme, revealing that the government has removed the capping of the National Health Insurance Fund. This, he explained, will unlock substantial resources for the fund.

“Most importantly, the uncapping of the capping of the national health insurance firm has been removed. This move has unlocked substantial resources to ensure that a dedicated allocation of funds will now support the Mahama Care Programme,” he added.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has pledged four months of her salary to support the fund. In addition, the general public has been encouraged to make contributions through the short code *255#, accessible on all mobile networks.

The initiative has received a boost with GHC2.2 million worth of medicines donated by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG).

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

During the presentation of the items, PMAG President Dr. Samuel Tobbin stated, “This donation is not just about medicine; it’s about restoring hope and dignity to the thousands of Ghanaians who rely on public health support.

“We believe that the Mahama Cares Initiative presents a timely opportunity to demonstrate the power of local industry in driving national development.”

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

Telecel Ghana has pledged to support the initiative by equipping three 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 ₵500,000.00, East Cantonment Pharmacy has contributed ₵50,000.00, and KMI Energies has supported the initiative with ₵5,000.00.

On Friday, May 16, service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) donated one month’s basic salary to support the initiative.Some 11 agencies under the Ministry of the Interior have collectively donated GH¢1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund at a short ceremony at Jubilee House in Accra.

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.