The Parliament of Ghana has taken the government-sponsored Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill through the First Reading phase of enactment following a presentation of the Bill before the House by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, on Monday, July 21, 2025.

The Bill, according to the government, seeks to enact an act for the mobilisation of resources to finance and support the provision of specialized medical care for the treatment of persons with chronic diseases and to provide for the management of the fund and related matters.

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, noted the government’s wish for the Bill to be considered by the House under a certificate of urgency.

However, the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, noted that the decision was for the Health Committee to make.

“The Bill is read the first time and is referred to the Committee of Health for consideration and report,” the presiding Speaker said.

The Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares, was launched on April 29, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama to provide financial support for Ghanaians with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, and stroke.

It aims to cover treatment costs not included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), funded primarily by the uncapped National Health Insurance Levy, government budgets, and corporate contributions.

The fund operates as an independent statutory trust to ensure equitable healthcare access.

GA