The Minority Caucus in Parliament is calling for a more sustainable approach to financing the newly established Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares.”
Addressing journalists, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, Ranking Member on the Health Committee and Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore, raised concerns over the government’s current plan to allocate 20 percent of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to support the Trust Fund.
He cautioned that redirecting funds from the NHIF could undermine the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by creating financial competition between the two entities.
As an alternative, the Minority is proposing that revenue from the existing Covid-19 levy be channelled into the Trust Fund.
Dr. Afriyie acknowledged that although the National Democratic Congress (NDC) had previously pledged to scrap the levy, the party now sees its potential to support critical health interventions and recommends its redirection.
“The Covid-19 levy can serve a good purpose in supporting the Trust Fund. It’s time for the government to admit the value of this revenue stream and use it accordingly,” he stated.
He also called for clearer distinctions between the roles of the Trust Fund and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), warning that overlapping mandates could create confusion for citizens seeking healthcare.
“There must be a clear distinction between the services offered by the NHIA and those provided under the Trust Fund,” he added.
Furthermore, Dr. Afriyie urged the government to prioritise the completion of key Agenda 111 hospital projects. He suggested that some facilities be converted into specialist centres to address non-communicable diseases such as cancer, stroke, diabetes, asthma, and kidney disease.
Source: Adomonline.com
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