Global Fund has suspended shipment of essential medical supplies to Ghana following the delays in clearing clearing previous donations that have since stuck at the Tema Harbour.
This poses serious health crisis as the supplies includes vital antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.
The government’s lackadaisical approach to clearing these vital health commodities, has been criticised by the Executive Director of the Africa Center for Health Policy Research and Analysis (ACHPR&A).
Dr. Thomas Anaba, has expressed grave concern over the government’s delay in expediting the clearing of these donated supplies.
He says the visit of a delegation from the Global Fund, albeit yielding no progress, shows how urgent the situation is.
The delays have also alarmed the Ghana AIDS Commission and a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focusing on HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The CSOs have announced a protest on April 17, 2024, over the prolonged detention of essential medical supplies.
“A 12-member delegation from the Global Fund paid a working visit to this country to follow up on the locked-up commodities. In spite of all their efforts, they did not make any headway and the commodities still remain uncleared at the ports.
“They have therefore indicated that Ghana risks losing all Global Fund Support if the government fails to act on the matter. To start with, they have already suspended all commodity shipments to the country until the ones at the ports are cleared.
“This development has dire consequences for the hundreds of thousands of our compatriots on free medications donated by Global Fund.”
A/R: Over 15k persons living with HIV not on Anti-retroviral Treatment – Ghana Aids Commission
