Locked-up Global Fund medical supplies include life-saving medications and health commodities – PSGH refutes MoH claims

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) is saying the medical supplies which have been locked-up at the Tema Port contain life-saving medications and health commodities whose extra delay at the port would have dire consequences.

This comes as reminder to the government to fulfill its promise of getting the supplies cleared, having been locked-up since August 2023.

In a press release issued by the Ministry of Health Thursday, June 13, 2024, it said funds have been made available to clear the medication in two weeks.

Meanwhile, an earlier interview granted by the Ministry’s PRO, Isaac Offei Baah, denied claims that the supplies include medications for the treatment of HIV and tuberculosis.

He said the HIV medications were cleared in April, assuring the public that the Ministry is doing all it can to clear the supplies to ensure they are put to good use.

“I want to put it on record that we have mosquito nets, and we don’t have anything like HIV drugs or TB drugs [locked up at the port].

“Once it is something that has been given to the people of Ghana, we are working towards bringing it out and putting it to good use.

“So for clarity sake, we don’t have any HIV drugs locked up at the port that we have not cleared. All those ones were cleared somewhere last April,” Mr. Baah told Accra-based Starr FM.

But, a statement from the PSGH Friday, June 14, says the consignment still contains essential supplies which should be cleared as early as possible to avoid any consequences.

“The PSGH reminds the MOH and the general public that some of the remaining containers hold life-saving medications and health commodities, including artesunate injection for severe malaria, Tuberculosis (TB) medicines for both category 1 and category 2 patients, malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDTs), and GeneXpert cartridges for TB diagnosis, among others.

“Further delay in clearing the remaining containers would have severe repercussions including: Complete stock-out of malaria RDTs: This hampers our ability to diagnose and treat malaria promptly.

“Fatal consequences for severe malaria cases: The rainy season is upon us, and severe cases of malaria may arise, especially in children under 5 years and pregnant women.

“Shortage of TB medicines: As at May ending, most facilities had only one month supply of TB medications for Category 1 & Category 2 patients. If medicines for TB treatment runs out, it will lead to default in treatment leading to drug resistant TB which is very difficult to treat,” the PSGH listed.

It added that “these disruptions not only threaten the health and well-being of countless Ghanaians but also undermine the significant progress we have made in combating HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria. Ghana’s recent celebrations of 20 years of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and our pledge of $2 million to the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment reflect our commitment to these global health initiatives. However, the current impasse casts a shadow over our achievements and international standing.”