The President of the Renal Association of Ghana, Baffour Kojo Ahenkorah, revealed that members are pressuring him for an exact start date for the MahamaCares initiative, originally known as the Ghana Medical Trust.
In an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he explained that the policy has several conditions that need clear explanation for those it aims to help. The pressure, he says, is so intense that he sometimes has to switch off his phone.
Mr. Ahenkorah lamented that nearly every day, doctors diagnose new cases of kidney disease, with patients as young as 16 to 20 years old requiring dialysis.
“As President, I face alarming pressure,” he stated. “As an Association, we do our best for our members, but if I knew I would face this level of pressure, I would not have accepted this role. The pressure is too much. I can state categorically that the number of kidney cases we record daily is troubling. It’s like how we record malaria cases every day.”
He urged the government to roll out comprehensive care by installing dialysis machines in polyclinics and district hospitals so patients would not have to travel to Accra for treatment.
He also shared his members’ struggles to afford their medications.
“Our members hoped MahamaCares would provide total relief, but we’ve learned there are specific terms and conditions for the policy. We’re asking authorities to provide clarity on the initiative.”
“I think they are now setting up the MahamaCares secretariat and other related activities, so we haven’t seen any major progress with the policy,” he said.
He added that they have also been informed that “a specialist must confirm your condition to qualify for support from the MahamaCares fund; no individual can appeal directly. You also won’t get an immediate benefit; an investigation will be conducted to determine if you cannot afford treatment. That is why we have appealed to authorities to provide clarity on the initiative, so renal patients and others expecting to benefit from the policy will know the details and how the fund works.”
Mr. Ahenkorah acknowledged that the two dialysis sessions covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) are still operational and have helped lower the mortality rate among renal patients.
When asked if the MahamaCares policy was sustainable, he responded, “If they maintain the original idea for the Fund and don’t politicise it, then I believe it will be sustainable. So, our authorities should ensure this policy is sustainable so it can support people with chronic conditions who can’t afford treatment.”
The MahamaCares is touted as a landmark initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals living with chronic diseases across the country.
The Fund seeks to cover the cost of care and medication for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) not currently included under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), thereby complementing it by supporting critical aspects of these conditions.
Additionally, the Fund will invest in health infrastructure, medical equipment, specialist training, and research to enhance access to quality healthcare.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
