Parliament approves GH¢9.27bn for NHIA - MahamaCares gets GH¢2.90 bn boost
Parliament has approved GH¢9.27 billion for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to undertake its activities for the year ending December 31, 2026.
The House also approved GH₵2.90 billion for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), popularly known as MahamaCares, for the year ending December 31, 2026.
The approvals followed the adoption of reports of the Committee of the Whole on the proposed formulas for the disbursement of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and that of the GMTF for this year.
The proposed formulas for both GMTF and the NHIF were presented to Parliament on Tuesday, February 4, this year, and was referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration and report.
Paying healthcare costs
The object of the NHIF is to pay for healthcare services of members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
For the purposes of implementing the object of the fund as provided under section 40(2) of Act 852, money from the Fund shall be expended to pay for the healthcare costs of members of the NHIS.
It will also be used to pay for approved administrative expenses in relation to running the NHIS, facilitate the provision of access to healthcare services and undertake investments to promote access to healthcare services as may be determined by the Minister of Health, in consultation with the board of the authority.
Support for chronic and NCDs
For the GMTF, object of the fund, as provided under section 2 of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1144), is to mobilise resources to finance and support the provision of specialised medical care for persons with chronic and non-communicable diseases.
Furthermore, money from the fund shall be applied to provide financial support to approved persons accessing specialised medical care for chronic diseases and facilitate the provision of or access to specialised medical care for the treatment of persons with chronic diseases.
“It will also invest in programmes that promote equitable access to specialised medical care, provide financial support for specialist medical training and research relevant to chronic diseases and invest in other facilitating programmes, including medical equipment, infrastructure, human resource development, and research,” the report said.
Background of GMTF
The committee’s report said in line with Ghana's broader health policy objectives of equitable, accessible and affordable health care, the government established the GMTF under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1144).
The report said the GMTF was created to mobilise, manage and allocate resources to finance specialised medical care, with a particular focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic medical conditions.
The fund complements the NHIS by addressing financing gaps in high-cost and specialised medical services, ensuring that all Ghanaians, particularly the poor and vulnerable, can access quality and life-saving care without suffering financial hardship.
The GMTF, it said, served as a key vehicle for strengthening specialised health care through sustainable financing, infrastructure development and capacity building for chronic and non-communicable disease care.
“Building on its 2025 foundation, the 2026 allocation formula emphasises hospital retooling, specialist training and patient support.
“This approach is designed to enhance health system resilience, ensure fiscal sustainability and guarantee equitable access to essential medical care for all Ghanaians,” the report said.
Sources of the fund
Per the report, sources of the fund, as specified under section 3 of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1144), include 20 per cent of the total money allocated to the NHIF, money approved by Parliament and money accruing to the fund from investments.
Others are grants, donations, gifts and voluntary contributions made to the fund, as well as any other money or property that may lawfully become payable to or vested in the Board of Trustees.
