The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has assured Ghanaians that the newly established Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the MahamaCares Bill, will provide critical financial support for patients battling breast cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
She stated the bill has just been passed in Parliament, and steps were being taken to ensure it functions efficiently once rolled out.
Speaking at the 2025 Breast Society of Ghana Stakeholders Forum, the deputy minister explained that although the fund is still in its setup phase, strong systems are being put in place to ensure transparency, fraud prevention, and equitable access.
“It’s a fund and we will have to disburse it. The bill has been passed; the President has assented to it, and we are in the process of setting up the system. Once we set up a good system like any health fund, I believe that funds will be disbursed to the right people,” she stated.
The fund, which targets conditions like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes, will be used to fill in the gaps left by health insurance, especially when it no longer covers treatments such as chemotherapy.
She emphasised that the goal is to prevent situations where breast cancer patients are forced to beg for support publicly.
“Once people reach a certain stage, they simply can’t afford treatment. Some even sell their homes. President Mahama said we must not allow that to continue in Ghana. No woman should have to sell her home to survive breast cancer. This fund is here to make sure they don’t.”
The government also plans to decentralise healthcare, making breast cancer diagnosis and treatment more accessible across the country, not just in major cities.
The deputy minister called on health professionals, civil society, and the public to support the initiative to ensure its success and sustainability.
Source: Myjoyonline
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