The Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Health Policy Research and Analysis, Dr. Thomas Anaba, has underscored Ghana’s need to communicate its supply needs to the Global Fund proactively.
He mentions that budgetary provisions for timely clearance to avoid future delays should also be made.
The critical medical supplies, including antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients and mosquito nets for pregnant women, have been stuck at the Tema Port since July 2023 due to issues with import duties.
This, he says has led to a surge in tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS cases from last year’s figure and the complications of people dying from AIDS have also increased.
“There is an increase in the cases of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS from last year’s figure, and the complications of people dying from AIDS have also increased. Women getting malaria during pregnancy has increased because of this.”
However, the Ministry of Health says it has taken decisive steps to clear the remaining 182 containers housing essential medicines for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to facilitate nationwide distribution.
The public relations unit of the Ministry of Health issued a statement and indicated that to secure the remaining 182 containers, the ministry has engaged with stakeholders resulting in the development of a comprehensive roadmap that will ensure the clearing of the said containers by April 12, 2024.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anaba in an interview on Citi TV, proposed setting aside a percentage, such as 10% for drug needs and collaborating with the Global Fund to secure supplies in advance to help avert future occurrences.
He expressed that by budgeting for the necessary funds to clear these drugs, Ghana can better address healthcare challenges and ensure timely access to essential medications
“Ghana has the statistics of how many people get tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS every year and this can be planned with a top-up percentage of 10 per cent and then we can budget for how much of these drugs that we need and then we contact Global Fund on how much they can give us ahead of time and then we budget for money to clear the drugs.”
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Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
