The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, has urged health authorities and local government officials to intensify public education on MahamaCares, warning that eligible patients could struggle to access specialised treatment without adequate information about the scheme.
He made the call on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at a stakeholders’ engagement on the Ghana Medical Trust Fund at Global Dreams Hotel in Tamale, where he stressed the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the initiative reaches vulnerable households.
Mr Adolf said awareness of the Fund’s eligibility requirements, covered medical conditions and application procedures would be critical to helping patients access support for serious illnesses, including cancer, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke.
He noted that although the National Health Insurance Scheme had expanded access to healthcare, the cost of specialised consultations, advanced diagnostics and prolonged treatment remained a financial burden for many families.
Some households, he said, were forced to exhaust their savings, borrow money or sell valuable assets to finance treatment, while others delayed seeking medical attention because they could not afford the cost.
The Minister said residents of rural and hard-to-reach communities in the Northern Region faced additional difficulties, including transportation costs and limited access to specialist services.
He disclosed that Tamale Teaching Hospital and other designated private hospitals had been identified under the Fund to serve the region, providing a basis for improving access to specialised care.
However, he cautioned that the designation of health facilities alone would not guarantee access, insisting that eligible patients must understand how the Fund operates and the steps required to obtain assistance.
Mr Adolf called on the Regional Health Directorate, hospital administrators, district health management teams, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities and civil society organisations to take the lead in educating communities.
He said clear and accurate information would help prevent misinformation, unrealistic expectations and delays in accessing support.
A representative of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Secretariat briefed participants on the Fund’s mandate, operations and interventions, followed by questions and discussions on its implementation and accessibility.
The forum brought together representatives of the Fund, health institutions, local government authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and healthcare professionals.
Mr Adolf said sustained collaboration among stakeholders would be essential to translating the Fund’s objectives into practical benefits for patients, particularly those unable to afford expensive specialised treatment.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
