Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to establish the Ghana Medical Care Trust if elected president in the upcoming 2024 elections.
He made this announcement during the launch of the NDC’s manifesto in Winneba on August 24, 2024.
The proposed trust will focus on providing financial support and medical assistance to Ghanaians suffering from chronic illnesses such as kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, sickle cell, and hypertension.
“I will establish the Ghana Medical Care Trust to support persons with chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, sickle cell, hypertension, and other health-related diseases,” Mahama stated, emphasizing the need for better healthcare infrastructure to address the growing burden of chronic illnesses in the country.
In addition to the trust, Mahama also introduced plans to promote regular health check-ups by proposing a community pharmacy concept. This initiative aims to make healthcare services more accessible at the grassroots level, encouraging Ghanaians to be proactive about their health.
“I will also introduce the community pharmacy concept and that will encourage people to go to their local pharmacy and have their blood pressure and sugar checked. So that if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, we are able to know early so that you can get treatment and be able to survive,” he explained.
As part of his broader healthcare agenda, Mahama promised to implement free primary healthcare services across the country, removing financial barriers for Ghanaians seeking medical treatment at local health facilities.
“So if you go to a CHPS compound or health centre, whether you have a national health insurance or not, you will be treated for free. So from the health sector level down to polyclinics and CHPS compound, if you go, you will be treated for free,” he announced.
Mahama further clarified that while free primary healthcare would be available at local health centers and CHPS compounds, higher-level services at district referral hospitals and above would still be covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“From the district referral hospital upwards, you will use the national health insurance card and you will receive treatment,” he assured.