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Second Deputy Minority Whip of Parliament, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has sharply criticised the newly launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “MahamaCares”, labelling it as a “senseless initiative”. He argued that the establishment of a separate fund was unnecessary, contending that existing resources should have been directed to expand the scope and coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) instead. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) was recently launched by President John Dramani Mahama. The initiative has been described as a landmark effort intended to provide financial assistance to citizens across the country living with chronic diseases. The Fund’s primary objective is to cover the costs of care and medication for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) that are not currently included under the NHIS. By supporting critical aspects of these conditions, the initiative aims to complement the NHIS. Furthermore, the Fund is slated to invest in health infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist training, and research to improve access to quality healthcare. However, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, who represents the Weija-Gbawe constituency, expressed the view that the government is pushing various laws and initiatives through Parliament by leveraging its majority. Speaking on the matter, he stated: ”The Ghana Medical Trust Fund does not make sense. They claim the Fund will take care of some conditions, but the question is, couldn’t they have placed these conditions under the National Health Insurance Scheme?… They could have expanded the NHIS. If you believe there is a situation where people lack the resources to pay for treatment for high-risk conditions, the logical action is to incorporate it into the Health Insurance Scheme.” He further told host Kwabena Agyapong that the government had failed to properly strategise on this initiative, maintaining that the National Health Insurance Scheme is an effective, well-established structure. He briefly cited a recent personal instance where he had to cover medical costs, including caesarean sections, for some pregnant women, despite the existing health system. He had paid a working visit to the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital (Akawe) to engage with hospital administrators and health workers. The MP settled medical bills for patients at the paediatric ward and emergency unit, providing financial relief to families. By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
