Ghana Medical Trust Fund courts US partners to expand cancer care

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) is seeking partnerships with American hospitals, investors and philanthropists to expand cancer treatment and other specialist healthcare services in Ghana. The Fund’s Administrator, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, made the appeal at the Ghana-Tennessee Business and Investor Roundtable in Nashville, Tennessee. She said partnerships could help close gaps in diagnostics, treatment, specialist training, and hospital infrastructure while easing patients’ financial burden. “For many families, a diagnosis is difficult enough. But the next question is often even more frightening: how are we going to afford the treatment, and where can we access this care?” she said. Ms Darko-Opoku said the Fund had enrolled more than 800 patients for treatment under its services package. It covers 13 common cancers, neurosurgical conditions, cardiovascular diseases and kidney diseases. Outlining the Fund’s work, she said it had reconstructed the cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a fire disrupted services. According to her, the facility has supported more than 160 procedures since it was commissioned, including 110 involving children. She said oncology centres were under construction at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and Tamale Teaching Hospital. The Fund is also working with the KGL Group on a proposed $10 million diagnostic and imaging centre at Ridge Hospital. The project aims to improve access to MRI, CT scans, and mammography. Plans are also underway for an advanced comprehensive oncology centre at Korle Bu to ease pressure on existing facilities and reduce waiting times. Ms Darko-Opoku said the Fund was investing close to GH¢1 billion in medical equipment for major hospitals. These include dialysis machines, intensive care beds, oxygen concentrators and patient monitors. To address workforce shortages, the Fund is sponsoring the training of 100 specialist pharmacists and 100 specialist nurses. It is also supporting specialist medical training centres in six regions. She identified infrastructure, medical technology, specialist training, research and financial assistance for vulnerable patients as priority areas for US partnerships. The Fund is also exploring adding treatments such as kidney transplantation to its services package. Ms Darko-Opoku said government resources alone could not meet Ghana’s growing specialist healthcare needs. She urged American institutions and the Ghanaian diaspora to commit to specific projects with clear implementation plans and measurable outcomes. “We are open to partnerships that bring together investment, technical expertise and a shared commitment to results,” she said. Potential support could include diagnostic equipment, clinical exchanges, cancer care facilities, research funding and treatment assistance for patients who cannot afford care. “What we have achieved so far shows what is possible. With the right partnerships, we can do much more,” she said.