Mahama launches Ghana Medical Trust Fund, recalls losing family members to chronic illnesses
President John Dramani Mahama shared his personal experiences with non-communicable diseases. In a heartfelt address during the launch of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, he highlighted the urgent need for support for those affected by these illnesses.
“Persons who are much poorer and can least afford to manage these diseases are the ones who suffer the most, That is why the Ghana Medical Trust Fund has come at the right time,” the president stated.
He went on to recount the profound impact of chronic illness in his own family, revealing that his father died of prostate cancer in 2001, while his mother passed away in 2016 due to complications from high blood pressure and diabetes.
“My stepmother also succumbed to breast cancer, and just last year, I lost a dear friend, who bravely fought breast cancer, These are loved ones that we’re talking about. We must not see them as mere numbers; we must see them as real lives that we need to touch and help,” the President added.
The president further shared a poignant story about a close confidant from his political journey who faced severe health challenges. “He was an assemblyman and a strong supporter when I started my political career in Bole Bamboe,” President Mahama recalled. “When he developed kidney problems, he had to travel from Bole Bamboe to Kumasi weekly for dialysis treatment. The cost was unbearable.”
Despite President Mahama’s efforts to assist him, the mounting financial burden forced his friend to sell his belongings and relocate his family to Kumasi for better access to medical care. “Eventually, he died, leaving behind a family in poverty because he had sold all his assets to look after himself,” President Mahama lamented. “These are real stories, and that is why what we’re doing today is important.”
gbcghanaonline.com
