Member of Parliament for Effiduase-Asokore constituency, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has questioned the long-term viability of the MahamaCares health initiative, suggesting it may have been designed as a job for the boys programme.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on July 21, 2025, Dr Afriye, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, stated that while the initiative is commendable in concept, its structural framework and funding model raise serious concerns about sustainability.
Mr. Speaker, theres nothing wrong with the initiative, but I expected that stakeholder consultations would have included us, he said.
Dr Afriye expressed particular concern over the governments decision to allocate 20% of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to support the programme.
He warned that this could place undue strain on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which is already expected to fill critical gaps in the health system.
He further cautioned that Ghana is likely to face immunisation sustainability challenges in the coming years, especially when GAVI ceases its support after five years.
Dr Afriye recommended the creation of a separate fund, independent of the NHIF, to finance the MahamaCares initiative to safeguard the integrity of the existing NHIS.
He also pointed to operational concerns, This trust will have a tariff committee, set tariffs, and determine which diseases to cover. Eventually, hospitals may need to refer cases to the trust, which could lead to confusion.
He concluded with a sharp remark, It seems more like setting it up as a job for the boys, but we will allow you.
NAAB/MA
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