Pharmaceutical manufacturers support MahamaCares
The Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Ghana (PMAG) has given a GH¢2.20 million boost in pharmaceutical products to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, otherwise known as MahamaCares.
The support is so far the biggest of any single donation to the fund, which was launched as a support facility for specialist-level treatment, care and medication for a wide range of non-communicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular conditions and kidney ailments.
The association’s gesture comprised pain medications, cardiovascular medicines, anti-diabetic medicines, anti-asthma medicines, antimicrobials, anti-anxiety medicines, haematinics among others.
The President of the PMAG, Dr Samuel Tobbin, said at a brief ceremony in Accra last Friday that the gesture was in line with the association’s mission to support the health system and care for the public.
“Through this donation, we aim to contribute to the noble cause of strengthening Ghana's healthcare system.
“The Ghana Medical Trust Fund is a vital initiative that supports the access of essential medicines and medical supplies to Ghanaians.
By contributing to this fund, we are helping to ensure that healthcare facilities across the country have access to the resources they need to provide quality care to patients,” he said.
Dr Tobbin said it also emphasised the group’s support for the laudable MahamaCares initiative intended to relieve patients of the huge cost of care for those chronic conditions.
He said local pharmaceutical manufacturers were willing partners in the national effort to improve healthcare outcomes and that the group was ready to support the government’s efforts in that direction.
For instance, he said, the recent resolution by the association to reduce prices of locally-manufactured medicines by five to 15 per cent on the back of the cedi’s gains against the dollar and other major currencies was one such show of commitment to the national cause.
Recognition
Dr Tobbin said as pharmaceutical manufacturers, members of the association recognised the critical role they play in ensuring the health and well-being of Ghanaians.
Dr Tobbin said the donation was a testament to the partnership between the PMAG and the Ministry of Health, adding, “We believe that collaboration and partnership are essential in driving progress in the healthcare sector”.
He said the PMAG was working towards supplying 60 per cent of the pharmaceutical needs of Ghana in the next five years, and urged the Ministry of Health to partner and prioritise the local manufacturing industry.
“It is our prayer that the Ministry of Health would work with all relevant stakeholders, including the National Health Insurance Authority, the Ghan
a Health Service, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, among others to make Ghana the pharmaceutical manufacturing hub for Africa under the 24-Hour Economy policy,” the president of the PMAG said.
“We must strive to create a healthcare system that is robust, resilient and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians,” he added.
Gratitude
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who received the items on behalf of the ministry, expressed gratitude to the PMAG for the gesture.
He said the assistance was valued by the government for how far it would impact the sustenance and operational efficiency of the fund in catering for the needs of affected patients.
According to Mr Akandoh, it was crucial for the government that local pharmaceutical manufacturers deliver, to protect the country’s medicine security and ensure that the industry's growth supported Ghana's economic development.
