Why do I say so?
The launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares Initiative) is both sensitive and responsive to emerging health patterns observed over the years.
Over time, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has tilted towards primary healthcare and universal health coverage — focusing on the provision of essential drugs for the treatment of common illnesses, disease prevention, maternal and child health, family planning, health education, and health promotion. NHIS has largely focused on common illnesses such as malaria, respiratory infections, and others.
However, our current healthcare financing has not been able to significantly respond to recent health trends, which typically include essential hypertension, diabetes, complex respiratory illnesses, cancers, and terminal cardiovascular and renal diseases. This growing trend is largely the result of lifestyle changes, among other factors. Currently, 43% of mortalities (deaths) stem from these illnesses. While the need for education on lifestyle changes cannot be overemphasized, it is also critical that financing measures be implemented to cushion our compatriots who are afflicted by these conditions — which are closer to us than we often realize.
It is estimated that one needs an average of GHS 53,000 annually to fund the treatment of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which would literally be a death sentence for many.
Hypertension and diabetes alone have a natural progression that often ends in organ failure — yet treatment and management of such complications are not covered by health insurance. These conditions are also the precursors of major terminal illnesses such as stroke, kidney failure, and heart failure.
The treatment of cancers — whether through surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy — is not covered by NHIS. The Mahama Cares Initiative has, therefore, come in handy to provide the necessary support in that regard.
As a professional, I have seen first-hand how even well-to-do individuals can suddenly become paupers within a few years of trying to fund the treatment of renal and cardiovascular illnesses. The need for funding support has come at the right time, and I commend President Mahama for this initiative. Posterity will be kind to him.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund has come to stay. It has come to fund the longevity of Ghanaians!
Thank you to President Mahama.
