GMTF calls on specialists to help improve patient care

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), popularly known as MahamaCares, has called on specialists and health professionals in the Upper East Region to provide feedback to improve its operations and strengthen access to specialized healthcare.

The Fund said the experiences and recommendations of health professionals were critical to refine its processes, improve patient eligibility assessments and ensure that treatment pathways, medicines, diagnostics and tariffs responded to patients’ needs.

This was said at a corporate soiree with specialists and management of the Upper East Regional Hospital in Bolgatanga

The Administrator of the GMTF, Madam Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, said the Fund valued the dedication and expertise of health professionals, whose contributions remained central to its mandate of supporting patients with chronic diseases.

She acknowledged the challenges patients in the region faced in accessing specialized care, particularly the cost of travelling to referral facilities, accommodation and arrangements for their families, while seeking treatment.

“Here in the Upper East Region, this means that the cost of travel can place an additional burden on families already struggling with illness,” Madam Darko-Opoku said.

She noted that referrals often required patients and their families to arrange transportation, find accommodation, leave work and secure care for children before treatment could begin.

Against this background, the Administrator said the guidance, persistence and compassion of specialists were essential in helping patients navigate the healthcare system and access the care they needed.

“The Ghana Medical Trust Fund’s commitment to patients depends on the knowledge, judgement and dedication of professionals like you,” she told the various categories of specialists at the programme.

Madam Darko-Opoku said the Fund’s engagement with specialists helped to shape its approach to patient eligibility, treatment pathways, medicines, diagnostics and tariffs.

She expressed appreciation to health professionals who had supported the onboarding process, identified operational challenges and offered recommendations to improve the Fund’s systems.

She acknowledged that some processes required adjustments, including further refinement of the Fund’s care arrangements, and assured the specialists that their concerns and practical experiences would inform ongoing improvements.

The Administrator stressed that financial support for patients must be complemented by investments in healthcare delivery capacity, including equipment, infrastructure, specialist training and research.

She, therefore, encouraged the specialists to openly share their experiences, identify gaps in the GMTF operations and propose ways to improve collaboration.

“Your time is valuable, and we have a responsibility to ensure that our processes support your work and respond to the realities of practical, clinical care,” Madam Darko-Opoku said.

She reaffirmed the GMTF’s commitment to working closely with specialists and other stakeholders to ensure that patients and their families received the support needed to access specialized healthcare.