The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) is deepening its nationwide hospital needs assessment tour with a renewed commitment to strengthening specialist care and improving access to quality healthcare across Ghana.
Administrator Obuobia Darko-Opoku and her team have been engaging key health institutions in the Northern and Upper East Regions as part of efforts to bridge healthcare gaps and deliver lasting impact in the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
“Our journey across the country is driven by purpose. We are still listening, still learning, and poised to collaborate in bridging the gaps that limit access to quality healthcare,” said Obuobia Darko-Opoku during a visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH).
At TTH, the team from the Fund met with the hospital’s senior management, led by Professor Alhassan Abdul-Mumin, the Medical Director, to discuss critical needs such as strengthening specialist training, expanding essential services, and providing advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment.
Professor Abdul-Mumin highlighted the hospital’s major equipment gaps, including MRI and mammogram machines, and called for the expansion of CT scan and dialysis units to meet growing patient demand.
He expressed appreciation to the government and the Fund for their ongoing support, saying, “We are grateful that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is prioritizing our needs. We remain committed to delivering quality healthcare to our patients.”
The team also toured key departments including the Dialysis Unit, Radiology Sub-BMC, and the Nelly Oncology Centre to gain firsthand understanding of hospital operations and challenges. The visit concluded with a meeting with the hospital’s Board Chairman, Dr. Simon Naporoo, to consolidate earlier discussions.
The next stop for the delegation was the Tamale Central Hospital, where they were warmly received by Medical Director Dr. Richard Anthony and his management team. The staff described the Fund as “a lifeline and a glimmer of hope” in their efforts to improve NCD diagnosis, management, and treatment. “We are ready to partner purposefully with the Fund so that every patient who walks through our doors receives the quality care they deserve,” Dr. Anthony said.
In the Upper East Region, the tour continued at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, where the team was welcomed by Medical Director Dr. Joseph Kojo Tambil and his management. They praised the initiative as “timely and transformative,” pledging to collaborate closely with the Fund to strengthen human resource capacity, improve diagnostic infrastructure, and enhance treatment outcomes for patients battling chronic diseases.
“These visits continue to shed light on the unique realities within Ghana’s healthcare system,” observed Darko-Opoku. “What we see in every region is not only the pressing needs but also the unwavering spirit of the professionals who serve with dedication and heart.”
Launched in April 2025 at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), the Ghana Medical Trust Fund officially commenced operations on 1 September 2025. Established under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama who made its creation a key campaign promise during the 2024 elections, the Fund represents a bold national initiative to mobilize resources, build capacity, and provide critical infrastructure to combat the growing burden of NCDs such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and cancer.
The Fund’s mandate spans the provision of essential medical equipment, training and capacity building for health professionals, financial support mechanisms, direct patient care, and the development of research and data systems. Through these, the GMTF aims to strengthen Ghana’s healthcare system and deliver impactful, sustainable outcomes that improve lives nationwide.
Each engagement on this hospital tour is providing valuable data and insights to guide tailored interventions. As Obuobia Darko-Opoku noted, “Every visit reminds us of why we exist—to make healthcare accessible, equitable, and sustainable. Truly, Mahama cares.”
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/JosephZiem
