Parliament has unanimously passed the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the nation’s healthcare financing system and expanding access to emergency and critical medical care, especially for underprivileged citizens.
Popularly dubbed “MahamaCares”, the bill seeks to establish the Ghana Medical Trust Fund—a dedicated financial mechanism designed to support patients who are unable to afford expensive treatments, emergency interventions, and life-saving medications not fully covered by the existing National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
From opposition to consensus
The bill’s journey to passage saw an initial hurdle on Monday, July 21, when the Minority raised objections to the laying of the legislative papers. However, after further consultations, the Minority softened its stance and allowed the process to move forward.
By the following day, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, the bill had sailed through the Consideration stage and received unanimous approval from both sides of the House, signalling strong bipartisan support for healthcare reforms.
How the Fund Will Work
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund will be financed through multiple funding streams including dedicated allocation from the national budget, voluntary contributions from individuals, civil society, and corporate organisations, and support from international donors and development partners.
The Fund is intended to provide financial relief to Ghanaians who fall outside the reach of the NHIS—such as patients with rare or high-cost diseases, victims of critical accidents, and those requiring emergency surgeries or long-term treatments.
Robust oversight and transparent governance
To ensure integrity and efficiency, the bill outlines a clear governance framework for the management of the Fund.
This includes the appointment of a Board of Trustees tasked with overseeing the Fund’s operations, disbursing resources in line with medical priorities, and preventing misuse or political interference.
According to the bill, further details regarding eligibility criteria, disbursement processes, and accountability mechanisms will be set out in subsidiary legislation and operational guidelines expected to follow presidential assent.
What Ghanaians can expect
Once operational, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is expected to ease the financial burden on thousands of families by covering part or all of the cost of surgeries and specialist interventions, critical care and intensive treatments, and high-cost medications not listed on the NHIS drug formulary.
The rollout will happen in phases, with the government expected to publish full operational guidelines in the coming months, including application procedures and benefit limits.
The bill has been hailed by patient advocacy groups, healthcare professionals, and civil society actors as a transformative step in Ghana’s quest for universal healthcare access.
With presidential assent anticipated shortly, “MahamaCares” is poised to become one of the most significant healthcare initiatives since the inception of the NHIS in 2003.
