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Ghana’s Medical Trust Fund: Lifeline or Landmine?

Ghana’s Parliament has passed a law that could dramatically reshape access to emergency healthcare for its citizens. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025, now enshrined in law, seeks to offer financial support to individuals facing catastrophic medical conditions, especially where costs are beyond the reach of ordinary citizens and beyond the cover of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

On paper, this is a bold and compassionate step toward health equity. However, the implementation risks are significant and may threaten the very foundation of Ghana’s public health financing system.

A Bold Promise with Real-World Relevance

The Medical Trust Fund is designed to fill a painful and all-too-familiar gap in Ghana’s health system: the countless lives lost or destroyed each year not due to lack of treatment, but due to lack of money. The Fund aims to cover complex and urgent medical cases, including cancers, organ transplants, congenital disorders, and other high-cost conditions that the NHIS either cannot afford or is not mandated to handle.

The urgency of this intervention is not theoretical. In 2024, Ghana was rocked by a renal dialysis crisis that exposed deep cracks in the country’s health financing model. Suddenly, out-of-pocket dialysis fees shot up beyond the reach of many patients, leading to heartbreaking scenes of patients being turned away or missing sessions at dialysis units. Public outrage followed. The Government’s response? A one-off subsidy was announced to placate public anger and keep the service running temporarily. This wasn’t a fix but an attempt to paper over the cracks.

This is not a duplication of the NHIS, but a complementary system designed to manage catastrophic cases—diagnoses that, in the Ghanaian context, often result in a death sentence. Is it considered duplication if the NHIS excludes certain advanced treatments, overseas care, or dialysis for end-stage renal failure? This Fund addresses a different issue: what occurs when NHIS coverage ends but the need for care persists?

The law establishes a governance board drawn from the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, civil society, and other stakeholders. It also mandates annual audits and reports to Parliament, measures designed to bolster transparency and accountability.

The Controversial Clause: 20% of NHIS Funds

But the Act contains one provision that has sent shockwaves through the health policy community: 20% of NHIS revenue is to be permanently allocated to this new Fund. This is now the law. How this figure was arrived at is a conundrum and could be seen as arbitrary.

The justification? Still unexplainable. Where is the actuarial modelling? Where is the costing data? Can a figure that impacts two national systems be determined without public scrutiny or stakeholder involvement?

I have not seen any actuarial analysis, no financial modelling, no impact assessment, just a bold, fixed figure carved out of an already overstretched NHIS. This decision, while perhaps driven by urgency or political momentum, threatens to destabilise the core insurance scheme Ghana has spent two decades building.

The NHIS is far from perfect, but it remains Ghana’s primary vehicle for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It already struggles with reimbursement delays, a limited benefits package, and increasing provider dissatisfaction. Carving out a fifth of its revenue without expanding the overall health budget is not just financially risky, it’s structurally dangerous.

Risks That Must Be Confronted Head-On

• Beyond the financial impact, the new law leaves several critical implementation questions unanswered:       
  Who qualifies for funding? The Act does not define clear eligibility criteria, leaving decisions to the discretion of the Fund’s Board. Without means testing and objective benchmarks, access may become arbitrary or politically manipulated.
•  How will this integrate with NHIS? The creation of a parallel funding structure raises fears of fragmentation. Will patients have to navigate multiple bureaucracies? Will providers be caught in a tug-of-war between two payment systems?
• Can it be insulated from elite capture? Ghana’s political history is rife with well-intentioned public funds that become tools of patronage. Without independent oversight and citizen participation, the Trust Fund could suffer the same fate.
• What about administrative costs? Running a new national fund means hiring staff, building systems, and creating oversight frameworks. In a constrained fiscal environment, that cost must be weighed carefully against its potential benefits.

The Case for Caution and Reform

The intent behind the Medical Trust Fund is not in question. What is at stake is whether the approach adopted will work in practice without damaging what already exists. Alternatives exist. Ghana could have:   

-Phased in the NHIS contribution gradually, starting at 5% and scaling up based on performance.

– Introduced a health solidarity levy on high incomes or earmarked luxury import taxes.

– Channelled a share of petroleum revenues or special VAT allocations into the Fund.
Crucially, such options would have allowed for new financing without undermining NHIS stability.

A Delicate Balance

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, 2025, is a paradox of policymaking: it is both compassionate and potentially destructive. It offers a real opportunity to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable, but its financing model threatens to rob Peter to pay Paul.

The 2024 dialysis crisis should serve as a national wake-up call — not just a justification for the Fund, but evidence that Ghana’s health system requires a secure, ring-fenced stream of funding for catastrophic illnesses. Advocates have long pressed for a reliable solution. Instead, the response was a one-off injection of cash, effectively in the short term. Why wait for media outrage to prompt action? Why leave patients with conditions such as end-stage renal disease, certain cancers, and congenital heart defects at the mercy of public sympathy?

The challenge now lies not in debating whether the law should exist, it is already in the books, but in ensuring its implementation is smart, transparent, and does not harm the broader goal of universal health coverage.

With the right implementation, particularly around eligibility criteria, financial sustainability, citizen oversight, and operational coordination with NHIS, the Fund could indeed become a lifeline. But if allowed to drift without these corrections, it risks becoming a bureaucratic landmine buried in Ghana’s health system.

Ghana must now walk this tightrope with discipline, foresight, and a firm commitment to equity.

Understanding Uterine Fibroids: A hidden threat to women’s health and fertility

Uterine fibroids are far more common than many women realise and can significantly affect fertility, menstrual health, and overall quality of life, according to Dr Padi Ayertey, obstetrician-gynaecologist and Medical Director at Elimmas Health.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show, Dr Ayertey described fibroids as non-cancerous growths that develop in the muscle of the uterus and elaborated on their causes and effects.

“A uterine fibroid is a non-cancerous growth. It starts in the muscle of the uterus,” he said. “Everybody calls it fibroid, so we call it ‘fibros’.”

He explained that fibroids originate when certain uterine cells resist the body’s natural hormonal controls.

“One cell decides, ‘I’m not going to be controlled anymore.’ It divides into two, then four, then eight — and keeps growing. It starts smaller than a pin and can eventually become bigger than my head.”

Pregnancy as Natural Protection

Dr Ayertey noted that pregnancy and breastfeeding offer a form of natural protection against fibroids due to the hormonal changes they induce.

“The uterus takes a break from those hormones during pregnancy. After delivery and while breastfeeding, prolactin levels stay high, offering further protection. That’s why pregnancy becomes very protective against uterine fibroids.”

Fibroids, Polyps and Cysts – What’s the Difference?

He also addressed common misconceptions by distinguishing fibroids from polyps and cysts.

“Polyps are soft growths in the cavity of the uterus, where the baby sits. If a polyp or fibroid is in that space, it acts like a tenant in a one-bedroom apartment. So when the pregnancy comes, it says, ‘There’s already someone here,’ and it can’t stay.”

Cysts, he clarified, are typically fluid-filled and found outside the uterus, most often on the ovaries. Some can even contain fat, hair, or bone.

Symptoms Can Vary Widely

Dr Ayertey explained that symptoms differ depending on the fibroid’s location:

Inside the uterine cavity: may cause infertility, cramping, and heavy bleeding.

Within the uterine wall (muscle): may create pressure that affects fertility.

Outside the uterus: may press against other organs, leading to constipation or frequent urination.

“Your bladder, which should be big, becomes small because the fibroid is pressing on it,” he said. “You find yourself urinating every few minutes, not just a little, a moderate amount.”

He also warned that abdominal bloating isn’t always caused by fat.

“A lot of you have got big tummies. It is fat, not fibroid. But for some people, that mass could actually be a fibroid, and it can grow really big.”

How to Identify and Manage Fibroids

The most common signs, according to Dr Ayertey, include:

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Difficulty conceiving

Abdominal swelling

“For most people, it’s heavy bleeding. Others come because they’re not getting pregnant. Some just see their tummy getting bigger.”

When it comes to treatment, he said there are both medical and surgical options available:

“There are medical options to keep fibroids calm, but they usually aren’t long-term solutions. If the fibroid is very big on the outside, surgery to cut and remove it might be needed. But if it’s small and causing bleeding, doctors can now remove it through the vagina without any cuts — that’s what people are doing these days.”

A Silent Burden With Serious Risks

Dr Ayertey cautioned that untreated fibroids can lead to serious complications — including severe blood loss, anaemia, and reduced productivity.

“Some women can’t function for five days every month. They bleed so heavily, they have to wear diapers instead of sanitary pads.”

“People have died because of excessive bleeding,” he added.

As awareness increases, Dr Ayertey stressed the importance of early diagnosis and regular gynaecological check-ups to detect and manage fibroids before they become life-threatening.

UHAS Dean urges strategic role for laboratory managers in 24-hour health system reform

The Dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Samuel Essien-Baidoo, has called for urgent policy reforms to position medical laboratory managers at the centre of Ghana’s healthcare transformation.

Delivering a keynote address at the Annual General Meeting of the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers, Prof. Essien-Baidoo emphasised that the full integration of laboratory managers into the healthcare governance structure is essential to achieving quality service delivery, particularly within the proposed 24-hour health economy.

“We risk crashing our healthcare system if we do not take steps now to correct this. Whether it is supporting the 24-hour health economy, leading primary healthcare diagnostics, or driving evidence-based policy, the relevance of the medical laboratory manager is unquestionable,” he stated.

The professor noted that although medical laboratory professionals played critical roles during the COVID-19 pandemic—often risking their lives and leading coordination efforts to sustain health system operations—they remain sidelined in strategic decision-making spaces.

“We are not merely technical heads. We are integral contributors to the ethical, legal, and managerial dimensions of healthcare delivery,” Prof Essien-Baidoo asserted.

He decried the fact that, out of all the teaching hospitals in the country, only two currently have Directors of Allied Health Services. He criticised attempts to suppress qualified laboratory scientists from applying for top positions, referring to recent incidents at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as an example of institutional resistance.

“It is deeply disappointing, especially when deliberate efforts are made to circumvent the process by introducing clauses that suppress medical laboratory scientists from leadership roles,” he said.

Prof Essien-Baidoo stressed that building a resilient 24-hour health system requires leadership that goes beyond administrative competence to embrace visionary, ethical, and policy-driven engagement. He called on policymakers to redefine the role of laboratory managers, not as afterthoughts, but as cornerstones in the healthcare delivery chain.

He also urged professional bodies to intensify advocacy within the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, and the private sector to institutionalise reforms that mandate the inclusion of laboratory managers in hospital directorates and governance.

“Our professional bodies must have the courage to shape institutional culture and push for reforms that empower laboratory professionals as part of the core decision-making structure,” he added.

Commending the organisers of the Annual General Meeting, Prof. Essien-Baidoo declared the meeting officially open and challenged participants to engage with the issues not as spectators but as active stakeholders.

“Let us rise to the occasion. Let us remain grounded in the laws that empower us, guided by the ethics of our profession, and inspired in our work so we can contribute wholeheartedly to national development,” he concluded.

Society of Medical Laboratory Managers chair calls for inclusion in core health management

The Board Chairman of the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers – Ghana (SMLM-G), Dr David Sackey, has called for the full integration of medical laboratory managers into the core management structures of health facilities across the country.

Delivering his welcome address at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Society in Ho, Dr Sackey underscored the urgent need for healthcare reform that acknowledges and empowers medical laboratory professionals at all levels of decision-making.

Welcoming participants to the fourth AGM of the Society, Dr Sackey emphasised that the advancement of medical laboratory science in Ghana and beyond hinges on the recognition of laboratory managers as key stakeholders in healthcare leadership and policy implementation.

“The involvement of the medical laboratory manager in core management is not optional; it is a necessity in risk factoring and strengthening our healthcare delivery system,” he stated.

“In fact, if I had my way, I would push for structural reforms to firmly place the laboratory profession at the heart of hospital management conversations.”

He noted that while the clinical teams in public hospitals often include nurses, midwives, pharmacists, medical doctors, and other professionals, laboratory scientists remain largely absent from executive decision-making roles within these institutions.

This exclusion, he warned, has led to critical delays in the procurement of consumables, irregular servicing of laboratory equipment, and a stagnation in the professional growth of medical laboratory scientists.

“After over five decades of dedicated service to this nation, it is time the laboratory profession is represented at the top, where key healthcare decisions are made,” Dr. Sackey emphasized.

He announced the transformation of the profession over the years, noting that the days when technicians were only trained on the bench are long gone.

“Today, we are producing doctors of medical laboratory science, specialists, consultants, and highly trained professionals with the requisite leadership skills to manage healthcare institutions,” he declared.

“More importantly, we currently have over 100 medical laboratory consultants managing laboratories across Ghana, a clear signal that the profession is not only growing but is more than ready to lead.”

Dr Sackey, however, lamented a number of enduring challenges that continue to plague the sector, including the absence of a dedicated Medical Laboratory Council; poor coordination with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS); unemployment of fresh graduates from accredited universities; delays in appointing directors for allied health professions, and a lack of structured training opportunities in key institutions, particularly the teaching hospitals.

“These are not new problems, but their persistence continues to hinder progress,” he said.
“We must begin to address them with boldness and urgency.”

He concluded his address by reiterating the importance of the AGM theme and expressing optimism that the keynote speaker and other guest speakers would “do justice to the theme” and provide insights that will help shape policy direction.

“I may not have all the answers,” he humbly noted, “but I trust that our collective wisdom and shared commitment will lead to outcomes that position laboratory managers where they truly belong, at the core of healthcare governance.”

The AGM brought together laboratory professionals, policy advocates, and healthcare stakeholders from across the country to reflect, share experiences, and strategise on how to enhance the role of laboratory managers within Ghana’s health system.

Just 7,000 steps a day cuts health risks, study says

Walking 7,000 steps a day can be enough to boost your brainpower and help protect against a range of different diseases, a major study suggests.

It may be a more realistic target than 10,000 steps, which is often seen as the benchmark to reach.

The research, published in the Lancet Public Health, found that the figure was linked with a reduced risk of serious health issues, including cancer, dementia and heart disease.

The findings could encourage more people to track their steps as a practical way to improve their health, the researchers say.

“We have this perception we should be doing 10,000 steps a day,” says lead author Dr Melody Ding, “but it’s not evidence-based”.

The figure of 10,000 steps can be traced back to a 1960s marketing campaign in Japan. In the run-up to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, a brand of pedometer was launched called the manpo-kei, which translates as “10,000-step meter”.

Dr Ding says this figure was “taken out of context” and became an unofficial guideline, which many fitness trackers and apps continue to recommend.

The Lancet study analysed previous research and data on the health and activity of more than 160,000 adults around the world.

Compared with those who walked 2,000 steps a day, it found that 7,000 steps was linked to reduced risk of:

• cardiovascular disease – down 25%
• cancer – down 6%
• dementia – down 38%
• and depression – down 22%

However, the researchers say some figures could be less accurate than others as they are drawn from only a small number of studies.

Overall, their review suggests even modest step counts of around 4,000 steps a day are linked to better health compared to very low activity of just 2,000 steps a day.

For most health conditions, the benefits tended to level off beyond 7,000 steps, although there were additional advantages to walking further for the heart.

Most exercise guidelines focus on time spent doing physical activity over step counts.

For example, the World Health Organization says adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity every week.

Dr Ding says this advice can sometimes be difficult for people to understand but the current guidelines still serve an important purpose.

“There are people who swim, cycle, or have physical disabilities that don’t allow them to take steps,” she explains.

But she says a recommendation on the number of steps people should take could be included as an “addition” that would “prompt people to think about spreading their physical activities throughout the day”.

Dr Daniel Bailey, a sedentary behaviour and health expert from Brunel University London, says the study challenges the “myth” that 10,000 steps a day is necessary.

While 10,000 steps is a suitable goal for those who are more active, he says aiming for 5,000 to 7,000 could be a “more realistic and achievable target” for others.

Dr Andrew Scott, senior lecturer in clinical exercise physiology at the University of Portsmouth, agrees the exact number isn’t important.

He says “more is always better” and people shouldn’t worry too much about hitting a specific target, especially on days when activity is limited.

Jeffrey Nortey sparks conversation on fibroids with new skit

Actor and content creator, Jeffrey Nortey, is once again using his craft to spark important conversations around women’s reproductive health.

In his latest skit that has rapidly gained traction online, Jeffrey Nortey takes on the subject of fibroids, delivering a thought-provoking performance that blends humour with raw emotion.

The short but impactful skit opens with a seemingly light-hearted confrontation between a couple. The female character accuses her partner of fixating on her changing body, particularly her stomach, and misjudging it as weight gain caused by overeating.

As the exchange unfolds, the real story emerges. She reveals she has been battling fibroids, a condition that has left her in pain, caused her to bleed for weeks, and made her abdomen swell significantly.
Her revelation hits a nerve, especially as she explains how the pain and emotional toll have been compounded by her partner’s insensitivity.

The scene shifts dramatically from playful banter to a heartfelt plea for understanding, highlighting the psychological and physical burden many women endure in silence.

“I needed comfort, not criticism,” she says, confronting the tendency of loved ones to pass judgment before asking what’s truly wrong. The male character, played by Nortey himself, is remorseful and quick to act, offering to accompany her to see a doctor and expressing concern that the fibroids may even be affecting their ability to conceive.

The skit doesn’t just stop at emotional impact. It also slips in valuable information about the condition, noting that fibroids can be treated, managed, or surgically removed.

The final moments take a humorous twist when intimacy is ruled out due to the pain, and the urgency to seek medical help becomes the closing note. This blend of education, empathy, and entertainment has resonated widely with viewers.

Comment sections across platforms have been flooded with emotional reactions and shared personal experiences.

Renowned broadcaster Israel Laryea praised the skit, writing, “Educating the public about critical health matters through content creation. This is how it should be done. Ayekoo! You’re doing well.” Another viewer, Rebekah, reflected on her own experience, saying, “People will see you and ask if you’re pregnant cos of your tummy size. The silent battles we fight.”

Others highlighted the broader relevance of the message. Delly, who has been living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) for over a decade, shared how this type of content validates the quiet struggles of many women whose physical changes are often misunderstood. “People around me will comment on my weight gain as if it’s a casual thing. I decided to take charge of my story and not let anyone dictate how I feel,” she wrote.

The responses underline a growing public appreciation for digital content that touches on under-discussed health issues, especially those affecting women. While the skit may have ended on a humorous note, it left behind a serious message that many viewers carried away.

This isn’t Jeffrey Nortey’s first foray into using storytelling to highlight reproductive health matters. He previously released a skit shedding light on the realities of menstrual health, which similarly drew widespread attention and commendation.

With a clear interest in using his platform to break societal taboos and foster awareness, Jeffrey Nortey continues to carve a unique space at the intersection of performance and public health education.

Mid-year budget: VAST Ghana champions excise taxes on unhealthy products

A Ghanaian policy think tank, Vision for Accelerated Sustainable Development Ghana (VAST Ghana), has strongly advised the Ministry of Finance to uphold and potentially increase existing excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs).

In its Mid-Year Budget Review proposal submitted on Monday, July 21, VAST Ghana highlighted the significant health benefits and unexpected revenue windfalls generated by the Excise Duty Amendment Act, 2023, urging the government to resist industry pressure for tax reductions.

VAST Ghana’s call comes amidst growing concerns over Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana, which now account for approximately 45% of all deaths.

Premature mortality among adults aged 30-70 from NCDs stands at 21%, exceeding global averages.

The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and SSBs are major drivers of these diseases, imposing substantial economic costs through lost productivity and increased healthcare expenditures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 37,000 deaths in Ghana annually are attributable to alcohol-related conditions alone.

The Excise Duty Amendment Act, 2023, enacted in line with ECOWAS Directives and WHO’s “best buy” interventions, introduced a uniform excise framework: a 20% tax on SSBs, varying rates on alcohol (47.5% on beer, 25-47.5% on wines and spirits), and a hybrid system for tobacco (US$0.02 per stick alongside 50% of CIF).

This reform simplified enforcement for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and aimed to align Ghana with international best practices, where WHO recommends tobacco excise tax comprise at least 75% of the retail price.

Prior to the reform, Ghana’s tobacco tax share was a mere 22-28% of the retail price.

The fiscal impact of the new taxes has been “dramatic,” according to GRA data cited by VAST Ghana. Excise revenue from SSBs alone surged from GHS 735 million in 2022 to GHS 1,325.6 million in 2023.

Combined revenue across tobacco, alcohol, and SSBs is estimated at over GHS 1.5 billion, exceeding initial predictions.

Tobacco excise revenue specifically jumped by 106%, from GHS 220.8 million (May 2022-April 2023) to GHS 454.5 million (May 2023-April 2024), despite tax waivers for ECOWAS tobacco products.

“This revenue growth illustrates not only the effectiveness of the excise tax system but also its potential to finance public health initiatives that combat the very NCDs being fueled by these products,” stated Labram Musah, Executive Director of VAST Ghana.

Citing WHO modeling, VAST Ghana’s proposal highlighted the dual gains from excise taxes:

• A 20% excise price increase on tobacco could reduce consumption by 26.6% in 2023, generate GHS 131 million extra revenue, and avert over 34,600 deaths.
• A similar 20% uplift for alcohol could raise GHS 2.4 billion and reduce consumption by 7.6%, averting over 44,000 deaths over a century.
• SSB taxation at that level could reduce consumption by nearly 24%, raise GHS 1.0 billion, and avert 155,000 deaths across a century.

VAST Ghana dismissed industry criticisms regarding job losses, reduced investment, or increased illicit trade, stating that evidence from Ghana does not support these assertions.

They argue that tax reductions would reverse measurable health gains, undermine the recent fiscal windfall, and signal a lack of resolve regarding Ghana’s international commitments, particularly under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The organization further stressed that taxes on unhealthy products are “progressive in health outcomes,” as lower-income and vulnerable groups tend to exhibit the greatest consumption reductions when faced with price increases, thereby helping to close health inequity gaps.

In its recommendations to the Ministry of Finance, VAST Ghana urged the government to:

• Uphold current excise tax rates on tobacco, alcohol, and SSBs.
• Consider an upward review of these excise taxes.
• Earmark a portion of the revenue for public health initiatives and specifically to support the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which is purposely created to finance NCDs.
• Prioritize public health over commercial interests and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to combat illicit trade.
• Establish a robust framework for continuous monitoring and evaluation of the impact of these taxes.

“Any reduction or downward review of the Excise Tax will have a huge setback on the government’s flagship program, the ‘Ghana Medical Trust Fund,’ to the extent that the number of NCDs cases will increase significantly, which can lead to unsustainability of the Trust Fund,” the group warned. They advocate for indexing excise taxes to inflation to ensure fiscal responsibility and defend public interest.

15-minute test kits boost patient care and research at KATH

Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) is one of the sites where the the global RECOVERY Trial is being conducted. Enrollment has increased following the introduction of rapid test kits that detect multiple respiratory viruses within minutes.

On a humid morning in Kumasi, a worried mother paces anxiously outside a ward at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Inside, her 20-year-old son lies coughing and feverish, yet within fifteen minutes of arrival, doctors know what they’re dealing with. A compact test kit, no larger than half the size of a smartphone, has just delivered answers: Influenza A. Not COVID-19. For her, it means swift treatment. For the medical team, it means focused treatment, including avoiding unnecessary antibiotic treatment, and another potential participant for the RECOVERY Trial.

This scene, now repeated daily in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, marks improvements in how emerging respiratory infections are tackled in real time. Since 2022, the Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research Group at the Kumasi Centre of Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, KNUST, has been part of the international RECOVERY Trial, a large-scale, adaptive clinical study that started in early 2020. The RECOVERY Trial, which is sponsored by the University of Oxford, was initially designed to identify effective treatments for COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia. In 2023, it expanded to include other respiratory infections such as influenza and non-viral community-acquired pneumonia. As of July 7, the Kumasi site had prescreened 456 patients, formally screened 55 (12%), and enrolled 52 (95% of those formally screened) into the trial.

The 15-minute fix 

The recent deployment of 1,200 combination rapid diagnostic kits to the various wards of KATH Emergency Medicine Directorate has transformed the pace and quality of trial operations in Kumasi. These lateral flow tests, donated by LiFact Holding, a U.S.-based biotechnology company, simultaneously detect SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Influenza B, all in just 15 minutes.

Before these LiFact kits, trial staff relied on PCR testing, which typically took 24 to 48 hours due to laboratory processing and logistical delays. By then, a patient might be discharged, deteriorated, or simply lost to follow-up. Now, clinicians at KATH can diagnose and recruit patients directly at the bedside.

“This is a game-changer,” said Dr. Joseph Bonney, lead investigator at KATH, who noted that the diagnostic kits have increased the volume of participants assessed for enrollment and improved the hospital’s broader respiratory screening protocols. “We can act faster, with greater clarity, and that improves care both within and beyond the study.”

“The kits have been incredibly useful in improving patient care,” shared Eudora Sackey, a physician assistant and clinical study staff member. “For example, one patient initially treated for bacterial pneumonia tested positive for influenza A using the kit. This changed the course of treatment immediately, starting antiviral medication that led to significant improvement within 48 hours.”

Often, in resource-limited hospitals, labs are overburdened, and time is a precious commodity. Having the kits distributed across key wards, the LiFact kits are used not only for trial purposes but also to support routine care, providing clarity in a region where feverish symptoms can mean anything from malaria to a common respiratory infection.

LiFact, headquartered in California, specializes in smart, high-accuracy diagnostics designed for real-world conditions, from flu seasons in the U.S. to infectious disease wards in West Africa. Their triple-pathogen test was built for exactly this kind of moment: overlapping epidemics, scarce lab capacity, and a race against time.

Strengthening capacity

Since joining the RECOVERY Trial, over 40 local clinical and research staff at KATH have completed training in the Ghana FDA Good Clinical Practice, research ethics, and data management, enhancing their capacity for high-quality research and patient care. Dr. Chris Kwaku Oppong and Dr. Divine Amenuke, senior medics on the study, expressed delight about the training.

The trial is fully regulated by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority and monitored by KATH’s Institutional Review Board. It is part of a broader, multinational effort to evaluate treatments ranging from antivirals to immunomodulators. 

Globally, the RECOVERY Trial has become a cornerstone of evidence-based care. This trial famously confirmed the life-saving effects of dexamethasone for severe COVID-19 cases, changing treatment guidelines around the world. Now, KATH is helping to write the next chapter.

A model for the region

What’s happening in Kumasi could serve as a practical model for how hospitals across Ghana, and potentially across Africa, respond to emerging infectious diseases. The Emergency Department at Cape Coast Teaching Hospital recently adopted the same rapid test kits.

As climate change and urbanization shift disease patterns, health systems need diagnostic tools that are fast, affordable, and easy to implement. The success of the LiFact deployment at KATH, including rapid, real-time diagnostics, targeted frontline training, and seamless integration into clinical trial workflows, presents a practical roadmap for effective public health preparedness. It also shows what’s possible when innovation is made truly accessible. These compact and user-friendly kits directly meet the challenge, enabling swift responses to outbreaks and significantly improving patient care.

Abuakwa South MP raises concern over MahamaCare’s sustainable funding

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has clarified that the Minority in Parliament does not oppose the newly passed MahamaCare health initiative but is rather concerned about its long-term financial sustainability.

Speaking on JoyNews Prime on Monday, Dr Agyemang said the Minority’s hesitation stems from questions surrounding the scheme’s funding framework. “We are not opposing the numbers. However, our point has to do with the source of funding.”

“The main statutory source of funding outlined in the report submitted to parliament is that they are going to save 20% of the National Health Insurance levy to finance non-communicable diseases. Why are you in a rush? Why do you rush to bring a bill that is already catered for under the National Health Insurance? This is something that we have to caution Ghanaians because it is an ingenious way to take from an existing provision to finance another thing that can be effectively catered for under the primary provision, which is the National Health Insurance law,” the MP argued.

Parliament passed the MahamaCare Bill into law on Monday, July 21, under a certificate of urgency, fast-tracking the legislative process to fulfil a key campaign promise by President John Dramani Mahama.

The initiative seeks to provide free healthcare for individuals suffering from chronic conditions, particularly targeting low-income and vulnerable groups who are unable to bear the costs of long-term medical care.

MahamaCare is expected to complement the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by addressing gaps in chronic disease management, especially for ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell disease, which impose a heavy burden on families and the healthcare system.

Dr Agyeman emphasised that despite the expedited passage, the Minority is only calling for a more transparent financing model, cautioning that without adequate budgetary allocation or innovative funding streams, the programme’s implementation could falter.

REMAPSEN and Galien Africa partner to boost health and environmental communication

The African Media Network for the Promotion of Health and Environment (REMAPSEN) and Association Galien Africa have signed a strategic partnership to enhance communication, capacity building, and collaboration across the continent.

The signing ceremony took place in Dakar and brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Senegal’s Ministry of Health and Social Action, the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition, and several local and international partners.

REMAPSEN President Bamba Youssouf described the agreement as a commitment to using media as a catalyst for transformation.

“This partnership is designed to promote health and the environment through knowledge sharing, impactful media content, and journalist training.

“We also aim to support innovation through joint research projects,” he said. He stressed the need to better integrate media communication into national and regional health and environmental strategies.

A major focus of the agreement is on media engagement. REMAPSEN will provide coverage for upcoming Galien Africa events, including the prestigious Prix Galien Africa and the Galien Africa Forum, scheduled for October 28–31, 2025, in Dakar, under the theme “Health Sovereignty: An Imperative for Africa.”

REMAPSEN will also help disseminate Galien Africa’s press releases, co-organise webinars focused on health and the environment, and support coordination efforts within Senegal.

Professor Awa Marie Coll Seck, Chair of Association Galien Africa, praised REMAPSEN’s commitment and energy.

She pledged support for the network’s annual media forums and advocacy activities, noting that the partnership addresses Africa’s urgent need for innovative responses to health and environmental challenges.

The agreement is valid for two years and is renewable. Both parties see it as a long-term collaboration aimed at influencing policy, raising public awareness, and driving the development of local solutions to Africa’s health and environmental issues.

The partnership marks a bold step toward amplifying the role of African media in shaping public discourse around resilience, sustainability, and well-being across the continent.