Ghana Medical Trust Fund seeks US partnerships to expand cancer care

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund (GMTF) has appealed to American hospitals, healthcare investors and philanthropists to partner with Ghana to expand access to cancer treatment and other specialised medical services.

The Fund's Administrator, Adjoa Obuobia Darko-Opoku, made the appeal at a Ghana-Tennessee Business and Investor Roundtable in Nashville, Tennessee, where she outlined ongoing healthcare projects and invited US institutions to support the country's specialist healthcare development.

She said partnerships could help address gaps in cancer treatment, medical diagnostics, specialist training and healthcare infrastructure, while reducing the financial burden on patients and their families.

“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 disclosed that more than 800 patients had been enrolled for treatment under the Fund's services package.

The package covers 13 common cancers in Ghana, as well as neurosurgical conditions and cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

Cancer facilities and hospital investments

The Administrator highlighted several projects being supported by the Fund, including the reconstruction of the cardiac catheterisation laboratory at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital following a fire that disrupted services.

She said the facility, commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama, had supported more than 160 procedures, including those involving 110 children.

The Fund is also supporting the construction of oncology centres at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi and Tamale Teaching Hospital to expand access to cancer care.

In partnership with the KGL Group, it is pursuing a proposed US$10 million diagnostic and imaging centre at Ridge Hospital. The project is expected to improve access to MRI, CT scans and mammography.

Plans are also being developed for an advanced comprehensive oncology centre at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to ease pressure on existing cancer treatment facilities and reduce waiting times.

The Fund is further investing close to GH¢1 billion in retooling major hospitals with equipment, including dialysis machines, intensive care unit beds, oxygen concentrators and patient monitors.

Five areas for American support

Ms Darko-Opoku identified five priority areas for potential collaboration with US institutions: healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment and technology, specialist training and clinical exchanges, research and innovation, and financial assistance for patients who cannot afford specialised treatment.

She said the Fund was particularly interested in partnerships that could provide advanced cancer diagnostic and treatment services, specialist fellowships for Ghanaian health professionals, hospital equipment and joint research into chronic diseases.

The Fund is also exploring an expansion of its treatment package to include additional conditions, such as kidney transplantation.

To address specialist workforce shortages, it is sponsoring the training of 100 specialist pharmacists and 100 specialist nurses, while supporting the establishment of specialist medical training centres in six regions.

The Administrator acknowledged that government resources alone would not be sufficient to meet Ghana's growing specialised healthcare needs.

She therefore urged American hospitals, universities, foundations, investors and members of the Ghanaian diaspora to move beyond expressions of interest and develop practical partnerships with measurable outcomes.

Potential partners could support diagnostic equipment for hospitals, specialist training programmes, cancer care infrastructure, medical research or treatment for vulnerable patients.

“We are open to partnerships that bring together investment, technical expertise and a shared commitment to results,” she said.

She invited interested organisations to request meetings with the Fund to identify priority projects, agree on financial or technical contributions and develop implementation plans.

The appeal comes as the Fund seeks to expand specialised healthcare access and strengthen Ghana's medical workforce.

Ms Darko-Opoku said stronger international collaboration would help reduce the extent to which access to treatment depends on a patient's financial circumstances or place of residence.

“What we have achieved so far shows what is possible. With the right partnerships, we can do much more,” she said.