Nationwide Patient Support Programme under MahamaCares to officially roll out in June

The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, Obuobia Darko-Opoku, has announced that the government’s Nationwide Patient Support Programme will officially begin full implementation in June 2026, following a successful pilot phase earlier this year.

She made the announcement during the Government’s Accountability Series on Monday, May 11, noting that the pilot phase had already provided critical medical assistance to several patients across the country.

“I’m happy to announce that the Nationwide Patient Support Programme officially rolls out in June 2026,” she said.

According to her, the Board of Trustees approved an initial pilot involving 50 patients in February to test the system before nationwide expansion. The pilot was designed to evaluate patient onboarding processes, treatment monitoring systems, and claims management procedures.

Madam Darko-Opoku explained that beneficiaries under the pilot phase received support for major and often costly medical conditions, including heart surgeries, brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and orthopaedic procedures.

She revealed that more than GH¢4.8 million had already been spent on treating patients under the programme so far, with beneficiaries drawn from different regions and age groups, ranging from infants to elderly persons.

Following consultations with medical experts, stakeholders, and the Technical Oversight Committee, she said the initial rollout phase will focus primarily on cancer-related treatment.

She noted that the Board of Trustees approved a targeted benefit package covering cancers such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, and several childhood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma, soft tissue sarcomas, retinoblastomas, and nephroblastomas.

Madam Darko-Opoku added that additional disease categories will be included in the benefit package before the end of the year as the programme expands.

She further disclosed that leading oncologists across the country had been engaged to refine treatment pathways, while Ghana’s national medicines list had been updated to include modern therapies and technologies to improve patient outcomes.

To qualify for support, applicants must be Ghanaian citizens, active members of the National Health Insurance Scheme, and diagnosed with conditions covered under the approved benefit package.

She stressed that patients will not be allowed to apply directly to the secretariat.

“It is important to clarify that patients cannot walk directly into the secretariat to request support. The process is digital and dignified,” she said.

Instead, applications will be initiated by specialist clinicians at accredited hospitals through a dedicated digital platform designed to streamline access and ensure accountability.

The programme will initially be implemented across 29 selected hospitals nationwide, including major health facilities such as Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, and University of Ghana Medical Centre, among others.

Other participating facilities include the 37 Military Hospital, International Maritime Hospital, The Bank Hospital, and Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital.

She explained that the Trust Fund has developed a comprehensive digital system integrated with hospital management platforms to support patient onboarding, clinical auditing, and claims processing.

According to her, installation and training of staff at participating hospitals have already begun nationwide to ensure smooth implementation.

Madam Darko-Opoku also announced the deployment of trained patient navigators across all participating facilities to guide patients and families through treatment processes.

“These navigators are central to the success of this programme. They will assist in completing enrolment forms, help patients and families understand treatment pathways and guide them through the entire continuum of care,” she said.