The Ministry of Health has announced a boost to Ghana’s healthcare system with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the Mahama Cares initiative.

Part of the fund will be dedicated to funding the training of medical specialists from the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons.

Speaking at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) public hearing on Thursday, in Parliament House, Accra, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, revealed that the support would help address Ghana’s growing need for specialist doctors and improve access to advanced healthcare across the regions.

“Mr Chairman, fortunately enough, we have secured some kind of funding from the Ghana Medical Trust Fund. The Mahama Cares is dedicated to the funding of non-communicable diseases,” he said.

Mr Akandoh told the Committee that there was a huge gap in specialists treating non-communicable diseases, and the training programme aimed to bridge this gap.

“To achieve this, the training will be decentralized beyond Accra and Kumasi to include centres in Hohoe, Wa, and Bolgatanga, ensuring each region has a training centre.

“We are in touch with the college, and they have indicated that there is a huge gap in specialists treating that particular disease,” he added.

According to the Minister, the move is expected to reduce service gaps in regions that previously lost doctors to other areas for training.

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to provide financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases and support the development of Ghana’s healthcare system.