MoH intervenes to clear 435 containers of anti-HIV, other medicines stuck at Tema Port

The Ministry of Health (MoH) says it has made significant progress by clearing 253 out of 435 containers of anti-HIV, TB, and malaria medicines and mosquito nets from the Tema Port.

The MoH further stated that it would clear the remaining 182 containers of drugs by Friday, April 12, 2024.

This comes after health authorities expressed worry over a looming shortage of drugs for the treatment of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Before this development, a board member of the Global Fund (GF) revealed in an interview that a bulk of the drugs had been confined at the Tema Port since October 2023, awaiting clearance from the government.

As part of ongoing support by the Global Fund (GF) to the Government of Ghana, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in the period between August 2023 and February 2024 received 435 containers at the Tema Port containing anti-HIV, TB and malaria medicines and mosquito nets for distribution across the country.

According to the ministry, its Global Fund management has since initiated a process of extensive engagement with the management of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Customs Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS), led by the Commissioner-General, Ms. Julie Essiam, and officials of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (CCM-Ghana), and the COVID-19 Response Mechanism, aimed at securing the expeditious clearing of the remaining 182 containers and forestalling future delays in the clearing of MoH medicines and other commodities.

“It is noteworthy that the engagements have led to the development of a robust roadmap which clearly provides impetus to the immediate next steps and way forward for collaboration and cooperation between Moll, MoF, GRA and stakeholders, moving forward in this regard.

”Furthermore, we wish to re-assure our stakeholders and the general public that the challenges associated with the clearing of MoH medicines and other commodities from the Tema Port and other points of entry have been conclusively and completely resolved by the government,” a statement issued by the ministry said.

“Moving forward, the MoH, MoF, GRA and stakeholders re-affirm their resolve to engaging consistently and meaningfully in ensuring that the health needs of all people living in Ghana continue to be their collective priority,” it added.

Prior to this development, a board member of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria revealed in an interview that the drugs are expiring while under lock and key at a time when patients are in dire need of the medications.