Pfizer Inc Takes Interest In Mahama Cares- Joyce Bawa Mogtari
International pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. has shown interest in investing in the Ghana Medical Trust Fund also known as Mahama Cares.
According to the Presidential Adviser and Special Aide to President Mahama, the company will be providing its full portfolio of patented specialist medicines and vaccines.
Joyce Bawa Mogtari explained that the vaccines and medicines required for cancer treatment will be offered at a 70% discount rate to Ghana.
“A leading international pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc. has announced plans to invest in the Mahama Cares Fund by providing its full portfolio of patented specialist medicines and vaccines specifically on a not-for-profit basis to 45 lower-income countries including Ghana, for patients requiring cancer treatment and medication for chronic diseases at a cost of about 70% less than market value to ease the burden on our national health care system.”
The Mahama Cares initiative is aimed at supporting treatment for chronic diseases that are not covered under the National Health Insurance (NHI) and is envisioned to bridge gaps in healthcare financing and reduce the mortality rate that results from chronic diseases in Ghana.
The Trust Fund will support specialist-level treatment for a range of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney failure, stroke and other complications.
Additionally, it will be progressively expanded to cover convalescent care, palliative services and home-based support, the government said while launching the initiative in April.
According to the President, support from the Fund will be based on formal applications carefully vetted and will focus on costs not currently covered under the NHIS.
He noted that the Fund will operate as an independent statutory Trust governed by a Board of Trustees and supported by a dedicated administrative secretariat, third-party administrators and patient navigators to ensure transparency, efficiency and a patient-centred ethic.
“Strategic procurement measures such as access pricing and framework contracting will ensure that essential medicines and diagnoses are quite sustainable,” he added.
President Mahama noted that approximately three billion cedis will annually be needed for the first three years to run.
The National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) main source of funding for this, he said, adding that it will draw funds from direct budgetary support from the government, voluntary contributions from corporate institutions and individuals, grants, donations and investment income.
Source: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
