The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the successful clearance of all medications from the Global Fund containers, which were previously stuck at the port. Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, the Director-General of GHS, confirmed that the drugs are now being distributed to areas experiencing shortages.
Last week, the Country Coordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund in Ghana verified that nearly all commodities previously locked at the port had been cleared, following assurances from the Minister of Health. Although their checks at the Central Medical Stores were positive, they could not confirm if the health facilities had received the medications.
Dr. Kumah-Aboagye assured that the GHS has received the medications and is actively distributing them to the affected areas. “The containers, a significant proportion as the Minister said, have been cleared, and we are working to ensure all shortages are addressed. We have an electronic delivery system providing real-time updates on our supplies. Requests are promptly processed, and we use trucks to deliver medications to the facilities,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Okoe Boye confirmed that all essential medications have been cleared, except for a few new containers with mosquito nets. “The media collaborated with us to ensure the clearance of essential medicines, including those for TB and malaria. I am pleased to report that over 260 containers have been cleared. However, we have just been informed about additional mosquito nets that need to be cleared,” he explained.
Dr. Boye assured that the remaining containers would be cleared soon. “This morning, the GRA informed me that they have implemented a system to expedite the clearance of the remaining mosquito nets. It is important to note that the processes between the Ministry and the GRA have been streamlined to prevent such delays in the future,” he added.
The cleared commodities are essential for managing HIV, TB, and malaria in Ghana.
Source : sankofaonline.com
