Parliament has approved the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, also known as the MahamaCares Fund, following a contentious debate and resolution on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The approval marks a major step toward establishing a dedicated fund to support Ghanaians suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and stroke.
Addressing the press after the Houses approval, the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, described the operationalization of the Fund as a critical relief for Ghanaians battling NCDs.
He urged citizens and corporate institutions to continue contributing to sustain the Funds operations.
The Bill, initially laid before the House by the minister, seeks to mobilize resources to finance specialized medical care for chronic disease patients and provide for the management of the Fund and related matters.
Launched by President John Dramani Mahama on April 29, 2025, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, the MahamaCares Fund aims to cover treatment costs not included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). It will be primarily funded by the uncapped National Health Insurance Levy, government budgets, and corporate contributions.
The approval followed intense deliberations, with the Second Reading of the Bill deferred on Monday, July 21, 2025, due to a lack of quorum, as raised by the Minoritys Deputy Chief Whip, Habib Iddrisu, citing Article 124 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Minority, led by Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, expressed concerns over the Bills rushed process and potential for inadequate scrutiny. Despite these reservations, the Minority supported the Bills fundamental objective of addressing the rising cases of NCDs.
However, the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriye, voiced significant concerns about the Funds acceptability and sustainability during the debate on the Health Committees report.
He warned that the proposed allocation of 20% of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Trust could undermine the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and its operations, potentially duplicating existing services.
It appears its going to compete with the NHIA. It appears its going to weaken the NHIA because you are going to take 20% of funds from the NHIA, Dr. Afriye stated, describing the allocation as disguised capping that could jeopardize services for the poor and vulnerable.
Dr. Afriye further criticized the lack of stakeholder consultation and questioned the Funds branding as MahamaCares, suggesting it reflects a political rather than economic decision.
A Trust that has an alias like this, Mr. Speaker, acceptability will even be a problem. Sustainability will be a problem, he said.
He urged the government to explore alternative funding sources, such as the COVID-19 Levy, and to focus on strengthening existing healthcare infrastructure, including specialty hospitals and medical equipment provision.
The Health Committee recommended further engagement with the Ministry of Finance to address funding concerns, a point echoed by Dr. Afriye, who highlighted the need for clarity on the Trusts role to avoid overlap with the NHIAs mandate under Act 852, which ensures equity in health coverage and protection against financial risk for the poor.
GA