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The Ministry of Health (MoH) has pledged to clear the backlog of essential medical supplies currently held at the port within the next two weeks. This announcement follows pressure from health-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) concerning the delayed release of medicines funded by the Global Fund, crucial for treating diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.
Reports indicate that these medical supplies have been detained at ports since May 2023, significantly impacting their timely distribution to healthcare facilities nationwide. The government attributes the delay to new processes for exemption bill payments and additional charges during clearance procedures.
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Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, overseeing the health sector, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promptly resolving this issue. Addressing journalists in Accra on Thursday, June 13, Dr. Okoe Boye assured that measures are underway to expedite the clearance of these critical supplies within the specified two-week timeframe.
The Minister’s statement comes amid planned demonstrations by health-focused CSOs advocating for the immediate release of Global Fund medicines. These organisations express concerns over the potential impact of delayed supplies on public health outcomes, particularly in managing prevalent infectious diseases in Ghana.
Dr. Okoe Boye acknowledged the urgency of the situation and highlighted proactive measures by the Ministry to ensure timely distribution of necessary medications to healthcare facilities without further delay.
“We are committed to clearing these containers. Personally, I have set a two-week deadline. If, by then, any containers remain at the port, you will find me stationed there. I am determined that every container will be released within this timeframe,” he assured.
