The construction of an ultra-modern Cardio Centre at the Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH) is expected to begin in early 2027, as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), popularly known as MahamaCares, advances plans to expand access to specialised healthcare for patients living with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The announcement was made by the Administrator of the Fund, Madam Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, during a stakeholder engagement in Ho focused on strengthening access to specialised care and improving outcomes for patients with chronic conditions. “This will be one of our first projects next year. We will start work on it early next year,” Madam Darko-Opoku stressed. She further announced plans for the Fund to support Ho Teaching Hospital with essential medical equipment, including a mammography machine, fluoroscopy machine, non-helium MRI machine, digital X-ray machine, patient monitors and dialysis machines, with delivery anticipated in early 2027.
The engagement was jointly organised by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and the GMTF, with the Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu; the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Prof. Lydia Aziato; heads of decentralised departments and agencies; traditional leaders; management and staff of Ho Teaching Hospital; health professionals; security personnel; students; and members of the public participating. Madam Darko-Opoku observed that the cost of diagnosing and treating serious illnesses could place considerable financial pressure on households, deplete family savings, interrupt children's education and disrupt livelihoods. She explained that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to help reduce that burden and improve access to care for eligible patients. According to her, the Fund's operations were anchored on four interconnected pillars of financial support for eligible patients; medical equipment and infrastructure development; specialist training and human capacity development; and research and innovation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr. Hintermann K.K. Mbroh, said the Hospital had made significant progress in operationalising the MahamaCares programme, with 33 patients enrolled under the Fund at HTH at the time of the engagement. He explained that the programme had been integrated into the Hospital's electronic medical records system to support efficient patient registration, documentation and continuity of care. The CEO added that key staff responsible for managing NCDs covered by the Fund had received dedicated training. Dr. Mbroh further noted that the Hospital's Patient Navigation Unit was fully operational and working closely with the Fund's representative stationed at the facility to facilitate patient identification, enrolment, referrals and follow-up care. He appealed for the timely provision of the anticipated medical equipment, noting that the support would strengthen the Hospital's diagnostic and treatment capacity and reduce avoidable referrals outside the Volta Region. Emphasising the importance of patient-centred healthcare delivery, Dr. Mbroh cited a guiding principle articulated by the GMTF Administrator: “The patient does not experience our policy documents. The patient experiences the system.”
He said the principle underscored the need for all stakeholders to translate policies, investments and institutional commitments into tangible improvements in patients' experiences and health outcomes. According to him, the success of the programme should ultimately be measured not merely by the resources committed, but by the difference those resources make in the lives of patients and their families. Mr. Gunu, reaffirmed the commitment of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council to supporting the implementation of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund's initiatives across the region. He commended Ho Teaching Hospital for its role in implementing the programme and reiterated the importance of collaboration among healthcare institutions, government agencies and other stakeholders in bringing specialised healthcare services closer to the people.
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