The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has declared that Ghana is in a state of illness due to its inability to adequately care for its sick population.
He argues that a nation that cannot address the health needs of its citizens is itself in poor health.
In an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Gyamfi emphasized the NDC’s commitment to addressing these critical issues under a potential future administration led by John Mahama.
He revealed that the NDC plans to abolish fees for students with disabilities from levels 100 to 400, ensuring that no physically challenged student will have to pay fees under a Mahama-led government.
Gyamfi further highlighted the “Mahama Cares” initiative, which aims to provide support to individuals suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney failure. These individuals, he noted, often struggle to afford the expensive medications required for their treatment.
“Chronic diseases account for the highest percentage of mortality in the country,” Gyamfi stated, pointing out that many of these deaths are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He added, “A nation that does not take care of its sick is itself sick. The deaths recorded in this country are not covered by health insurance.”
Gyamfi explained that the ‘Mahama Cares Initiative’ Fund would work in tandem with the free primary health care initiative. This would ensure that all individuals, regardless of their health insurance status, receive free treatment when they visit community clinics, polyclinics, or health centers.
Through these measures, the NDC hopes to improve the nation’s healthcare system and ensure that no Ghanaian is left without access to the necessary medical care.