The Minority in Parliament has voiced serious concerns over the government's decision to allocate 20% of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly proposed Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as the Mahama Cares programme.

The Minority caucus argues that the move could severely impact the operations of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and undermine the sustainability of the NHIS.

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill, 2025, which is currently before Parliament under a certificate of urgency, aims to establish a dedicated fund for financing specialised medical care for chronic conditions like cancer, stroke, kidney failure, and diabetes.

However, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Health Committee, has expressed strong opposition to the proposal.

He argued that the new fund should be financed through a separate revenue stream rather than diverting resources from the NHIS, warning that this could compromise the NHIS's core mandate.

He warned that the redirection of NHIS funds would undermine the very purpose of the scheme and threaten its long-term viability.

In addition to financial concerns, the Minority criticised the branding of the initiative as “Mahama Cares,” suggesting it could politicise healthcare delivery and hinder bipartisan support. They urged for a more neutral and inclusive approach to ensure broader backing for the initiative.

In response, Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, dismissed the Minority's concerns, insisting that the government's commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery remains intact and that existing health financing structures would not be jeopardized by the new fund.