A potential health crisis is looming in Ghana after the Global Fund suspended shipments of essential medical supplies due to delays in clearing previous donations stuck at Tema Port.
The suspended shipments include vital antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients.
The Africa Center for Health Policy Research and Analysis (ACHPR&A) has expressed grave concern over the government’s inaction in expediting the release of these donated supplies.
Dr. Thomas Anaba, Executive Director of the ACHPR&A, criticized the government’s lackadaisical approach to clearing vital health commodities.
“The government’s lack of urgency in this matter is alarming,” Dr. Anaba said.
“The Global Fund delegation’s visit to Ghana to address the issue yielded no progress, which is unacceptable.”
The ACHPR&A is calling on the government to take immediate action to resolve the issue and ensure that these essential medical supplies are distributed to those who need them.
“The health of the Ghanaian people is at stake,” Dr. Anaba said.
“The government must act now to avert a potential health crisis.”
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 17th over the prolonged detention of essential medical supplies.
