A Bill seeking to update the existing law that governs Ghana’s National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) was approved by Parliament on Wednesday, December 19.

If assented to by President John Dramani Mahama, 20% of the money collected by the NHIF will be deposited into the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares.

Mahama Cares is an initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across the country. The Bill, which was laid before Parliament on Monday, July 21, was opposed by the Minority; the caucus warned that it could put a strain on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) budget and its operations.

The Mahama Cares Fund is expected 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.

In April, the government unveiled the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to provide financial aid to individuals battling chronic conditions such as kidney failure, cancer, and heart diseases. The fund is designed to alleviate the financial burden faced by patients in need of life-saving medical care.

The launch event took place at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) in Accra on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The ceremony was attended by 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 followed suit, announcing a three-month salary donation to support the initiative. He further disclosed that several Cabinet colleagues had joined the cause, including the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, and the Minister for Gender, 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.

So far, the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) has donated GH₵2.2 million worth of medicines to contribute to the success of Mahama Cares. Items donated by the association include 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 association that the medications would immediately be sent to the appropriate health facilities.

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 contributions from 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, donated GH₵30,000.

President Mahama has further committed to donating 50% of his annual salary to the Fund. Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has pledged four months of her salary to support the initiative.

Telecel Ghana has pledged to support the initiative by equipping three healthcare centres with HPV testing kits, digital colposcopes, and biopsy instruments. The donation, which will also cover operational costs for the facilities over a two-year period, 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 GH₵50,000.00, and KMI Energies has supported the initiative with GH₵5,000.00. Service commanders of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) also donated one month’s basic salary to support the Fund.

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