The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has clarified that patients seeking support under the Mahama Care initiative cannot walk directly into the Secretariat for assistance, stressing that the system has been designed to ensure transparency, dignity, and efficiency.
Speaking at the Government Accountability series in Accra, she explained that access to the scheme would be strictly hospital-based and digitally managed.
According to her, “patients cannot walk directly into the Secretariat to request support. The process is digital and dignified. Applications are initiated by specialist clinicians at enlisted hospitals via dedicated digital platforms.”
She disclosed that the Patient Support Program would initially operate through 29 enlisted hospitals strategically distributed across the country to guarantee equitable access to healthcare services for all Ghanaians.
“The Patient Support Program will initially be delivered through 29 enlisted hospitals strategically distributed across the country to ensure equitable access for all Ghanaians,” she stated.
Mrs. Darko-Opoku further revealed that the Trust Fund has developed a robust digital platform integrated with hospital management systems to streamline patient onboarding, clinical auditing, and claims processing.
She added that installation and training processes have already commenced across participating hospitals to ensure a smooth rollout of the initiative.
To strengthen accountability and eliminate disparities in healthcare pricing, she said the Trust Fund has also completed a standardized costing and billing framework that will ensure transparency, accountability, and uniformity in service pricing nationwide.
In addition, trained patient navigators have been deployed to all enlisted hospitals to guide patients and families through the treatment process.
“These navigators are central to the success of this program. They will assist in completing enrolment forms, help patients and families understand treatment pathways, and guide them through the entire continuum of care,” she noted.
Beyond the rollout of the patient support system, the Administrator outlined an ambitious long-term vision for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, particularly in addressing the country’s growing cancer care crisis.
She disclosed that Ghana currently has only two radiotherapy machines within the public sector, forcing patients to travel long distances and endure waiting periods of up to three months before receiving treatment.
The country, she added, also faces severe shortages of PET scanners, MRI machines, and other specialized medical technologies.
To address these gaps, the Trust Fund plans to establish at least three comprehensive cancer centers across the country capable of delivering integrated diagnostics, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and advanced treatment services, including Gamma Knife technology.
According to her, the first pilot project is expected to begin at Ridge Hospital.
Mrs. Darko-Opoku stressed that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund represents more than just a healthcare financing institution.
“It represents hope for families. It represents dignity for patients. It represents government commitment to ensuring that no Ghanaian is denied life-saving specialized care simply because they cannot afford it,” she emphasized.
She reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to transparency, accountability, prudent stewardship of