Parliament has sanctioned GH¢9.27 billion for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to fund its operations for the 2026 fiscal year, ending December 31. In addition, the House approved GH¢2.90 billion for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF), commonly referred to as MahamaCares, for the same period.
The approvals followed the adoption of reports from the Committee of the Whole, which reviewed the proposed allocation formulas for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the GMTF. These formulas, presented to Parliament on February 4, 2026, were referred to the committee for consideration and recommendation.
NHIF funding objectives
The NHIF is designed to cover healthcare costs for members of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), as outlined under Section 40(2) of Act 852. Funds from the NHIF will pay for members’ medical expenses, approved administrative costs, and initiatives that improve access to healthcare services. Investments to promote broader healthcare access may also be undertaken, as determined by the Minister of Health in consultation with the NHIA board.
Support for chronic and non-communicable diseases
The GMTF, established under the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025 (Act 1144), mobilizes resources to provide specialized medical care for patients with chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The fund supports patients accessing approved care, facilitates provision of specialized services, and invests in programs that ensure equitable access, medical training, research, and development of healthcare infrastructure and human resources.
The committee’s report highlights that the GMTF complements the NHIS by bridging financing gaps in high-cost and specialized treatments, particularly for vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to essential care without financial hardship. The 2026 allocation emphasizes hospital retooling, specialist training, and patient support, aiming to strengthen health system resilience and fiscal sustainability.
Sources of GMTF
According to Section 3 of Act 1144, the GMTF is funded through 20% of NHIF allocations, parliamentary appropriations, income from investments, grants, donations, and other lawful contributions to the board of trustees.