Parliament has passed the much-anticipated Mahama Care Bill, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare for all Ghanaians suffering Non-Communicable Diseases(NCDs).

The bill, a flagship policy initiative of  President John Dramani Mahama, received majority support in the House following a heated debate on its funding, scope, and long-term sustainability.

It seeks to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, especially for the poor, vulnerable, and underserved communities across the country.

Under the provisions of the Mahama Care Bill, the government will establish a national network of community health facilities, deploy additional healthcare personnel, and introduce a special health equity fund to ensure free or highly subsidised care for those who cannot afford it.

Proponents of the bill say it marks a significant step toward achieving universal healthcare in Ghana and will help reduce preventable deaths and improve public health outcomes.

Critics, however, have raised questions about the cost of implementation and its impact on the already strained national budget.

With the bill now passed, implementation is expected to begin in phases, starting with priority regions identified by the Ministry of Health.