New Ghana Medical Trust Fund to support breast cancer patients
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has assured the public that the newly established Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the MahamaCares Bill, will provide vital financial support for breast cancer patients and others battling non-communicable diseases.
Speaking at the 2025 Breast Society of Ghana Stakeholders Forum, Dr Ayensu-Danquah explained that although the fund is still in its setup phase, systems are being developed to guarantee transparency, prevent fraud, and ensure 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 said.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, recently passed by Parliament, is designed to cover conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
It is expected to fill funding gaps left by health insurance, particularly in areas where treatments like chemotherapy are no longer covered.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah stressed that the initiative aims to prevent situations where patients are left financially stranded.
“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,” she added.
Beyond financial relief, the government intends to decentralise healthcare delivery, making breast cancer diagnosis and treatment more accessible in communities across the country rather than concentrating services in major cities.
The Deputy Minister urged health professionals, civil society groups, and the public to support the initiative to ensure its success and sustainability.
