ACCRA, GHANA – Parliament has approved the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, under a certificate of urgency. This landmark legislation aims to address critical gaps in specialized medical care and significantly alleviate the financial burden often associated with chronic diseases for Ghanaian citizens. The newly established fund is designed to mobilize essential resources to finance and directly support the provision of specialized medical treatment, particularly for individuals battling long-term illnesses.
According to Nawaane Kurt Mark, Chairman of the Health Committee, who presented the report to the House, the government has identified significant challenges hindering access to specialized medical care across the nation. These issues include the disproportionate concentration of specialist services in urban areas, a scarcity of adequate diagnostic equipment, and insufficient data management systems. A major concern highlighted was the exceptionally high cost of treating chronic diseases, which frequently leads to catastrophic household expenditures.
Chairman Mark further pointed out that households with patients suffering from chronic diseases face a severe risk of falling into poverty within just five years of diagnosis. He emphasized that the Bill’s primary objective is to provide robust statutory backing for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, clearly outlining the arrangements for its effective management.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh was actively involved in the legislative process, proposing crucial clauses to amend the Bill during its consideration stages, which were subsequently incorporated before its final passage.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
