Wa Naa commends Ghana Medical Trust Fund for easing burden of specialised healthcare

The Wa Naa, His Majesty Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, has praised the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), describing it as a major national intervention that will provide relief to families struggling with the cost of specialised medical treatment.

He said the Fund offered renewed hope to people living with non-communicable diseases, many of whom face significant financial challenges in accessing life-saving healthcare.

The Wa Naa made the remarks when the Administrator of the GMTF, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, and her delegation paid a courtesy call on him at his palace ahead of the Fund’s regional sensitisation tour of the Upper West Region.

He welcomed the decision to take information about the Fund directly to communities, saying the approach would help extend its benefits beyond major cities and reach people who need support.

According to him, the initiative goes beyond providing financial assistance, as it also offers hope to individuals and families who may otherwise be unable to afford treatment for serious illnesses.

He commended the Fund’s leadership for the initiative and pledged the support of traditional authorities in promoting awareness about its operations.

He also urged chiefs and community leaders to help educate residents about the Fund to ensure that eligible people are aware of the assistance available to them.

In her remarks, Ms Darko-Opoku said the GMTF was established to address financial barriers that prevent people living with non-communicable diseases from accessing specialised healthcare.

She explained that the Fund supports eligible patients requiring treatment for conditions including cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses.

She noted that such conditions often place considerable financial and emotional pressure on patients and their families.

The Administrator said the regional sensitisation exercise was intended to bring information and guidance about the Fund’s services closer to communities, particularly vulnerable groups who may not know how to access the available support.

She stressed that traditional rulers were important partners in the exercise because of their influence and close relationships with residents.

Ms Darko-Opoku therefore appealed to the Wa Naa and other traditional authorities in the region to help identify information gaps and ensure that people who qualify for assistance understand the procedures for accessing it.

The engagement forms part of the GMTF’s nationwide stakeholder outreach programme, which seeks to strengthen collaboration with traditional institutions, regional authorities, healthcare professionals and communities.

The Fund aims to improve access to specialised medical care by reducing the financial challenges associated with treating serious and chronic illnesses, regardless of where patients live or their ability to meet the cost of treatment.

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