By: Celestine Avi
Ghana’s health system is under increasing strain from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers, placing a heavy burden on hospitals, health workers, and families.
In response, President John Mahama introduced the MahamaCares programme earlier this year, with a vision not only to strengthen healthcare delivery but also to ease the financial pressures on patients and their families.
As part of this vision, the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, has launched a nationwide needs assessment to identify critical gaps and shape targeted interventions.
The exercise, led by the Fund’s Administrator, Madam Obuobia Darko Opoku, began at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where she inspected facilities, reviewed available equipment, and gathered data on patient care.
The initiative forms part of MahamaCares’ broader programme to strengthen healthcare delivery and respond to the rising NCD challenge.
Madam Obuobia explained that the assessment is designed to provide a clear picture of where immediate and sustained support is required.
“Our goal is to ensure that health facilities are adequately equipped and that interventions under MahamaCares directly address the gaps affecting service delivery, especially in managing non-communicable diseases,” she said.
She was accompanied by Dr. Norbert Kipo, Technical Director of the Fund, and Madam Adwoa Twum Barima of WHO Ghana. Together, the team engaged with healthcare providers at Korle Bu to better understand the pressures facing frontline workers.
The MahamaCares initiative is expected to roll out targeted interventions, including NCD prevention, screening, and treatment, across major hospitals nationwide. It will also complement government’s health agenda by improving infrastructure, equipping hospitals, supporting healthcare personnel, and expanding access to quality care.
With NCDs continuing to rise, health experts warn that without urgent, coordinated interventions, Ghana’s health system could soon be overwhelmed, further straining both hospitals and the families who rely on them.
