By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, July 4, GNA – The Ghana Medical Trust Fund has appealed to the National House of Chiefs to partner with the Fund to increase public awareness and support the successful implementation of its interventions.
The interventions are aimed at improving access to treatment for people living with chronic non-communicable diseases.
Madam Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, the Administrator of the Fund, said the involvement of traditional authorities was critical to ensuring that information about the Fund reached communities and eligible beneficiaries who required financial assistance for treatment.
She made the appeal during a courtesy call on the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, where she briefed members of the House on the mandate, progress and priorities of the Fund.
Madam Darko-Opoku said although the Ghana Medical Trust Fund had made significant progress since its establishment, many Ghanaians battling chronic illnesses remained unaware of the support available under the initiative.
She noted that numerous families caring for relatives with kidney disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, diabetes, sickle cell disease and other chronic conditions either did not know the Fund existed or lacked information on eligibility requirements and application procedures.
“Without effective public education, many deserving beneficiaries may never access the support intended for them,” she observed.
The Administrator said chiefs remained among the most trusted and influential leaders within their communities, making their involvement indispensable to the Fund’s nationwide public education campaign.
She said the Fund intended to organise regional town hall meetings and intensify public education through television, radio and community engagement platforms to educate citizens on the objectives of the initiative and encourage early health-seeking behaviour.
According to her, the support of traditional authorities in mobilising communities and encouraging eligible persons to apply for assistance would significantly enhance the impact of the programme.
The Administrator explained that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to ensure that no Ghanaian suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases was denied quality healthcare because of financial constraints.
She said beyond providing financial support to patients, the Fund sought to invest in critical medical equipment and healthcare infrastructure, train specialist health professionals and support medical research to strengthen Ghana’s response to chronic diseases.
Madam Darko-Opoku disclosed that following the passage of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1144), the Fund had established its Secretariat, constituted its Board of Trustees and recruited staff to operationalise its activities.
She said the Fund had also undertaken a nationwide needs assessment across teaching, regional and selected referral hospitals to identify infrastructure gaps, equipment needs and the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases to guide its interventions.
Additionally, she said consultations had been held with the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Authority, health institutions, professional associations and development partners to strengthen collaboration.
She further announced that the Fund was facilitating the establishment of three modern cardiac catheterisation laboratories (Cath Labs) at the Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale Teaching Hospitals to improve access to specialised cardiac care.
She stressed that the success of the initiative would depend on broad national collaboration, adding that government alone could not achieve its objectives.
Madam Darko-Opoku therefore appealed to the National House of Chiefs to use its influence to promote public awareness of the Fund, support community education and offer guidance on how best to ensure that interventions reached vulnerable Ghanaians.
She expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the chieftaincy institution would improve healthcare outcomes, promote early detection of diseases and provide hope to thousands of families burdened by the high cost of chronic disease treatment.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Yussif Ibrahim
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]