TB/HIV drugs stuck at port: This is deliberate and intentional – Interim Chair of Global Fund

Ernest Ortsin, Interim Chairman of the Global Fund Community, has expressed grave concerns about the government’s lack of interest in clearing essential medical commodities for tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS and malaria treatment stuck at the port.

He said the continuous delay in clearing the remaining over 118 containers of the commodities is “deliberate and intentional,” with no end in sight.

The Ministry of Health and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) collaborated to clear 14 of the 182 containers shipped to Ghana in April. The Health Ministry has not been forthcoming with updates on how many of the commodities have been cleared.

The Global Fund has warned that it will cut supply to Ghana if the commodities are not cleared immediately.

The Global Fund for Community Foundation donated these medical supplies to Ghana free of charge however, it has taken Ghana’s government and the Ministry of Health more than a year to clear the life-saving commodities.

Disturbingly, a huge chunk of the commodities is expected to expire by the first quarter of 2025, if not cleared immediately for use by patients.

There are also reports of a shortage of these essential medicines at health centres across the country.

Speaking to Johnnie Hughes on 3FM’s Sunrise programme on Tuesday, Mr Ortsin could not understand the continued delay of the government to clear the drugs.

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Responding to the concerns that the medicines will start expiring by early 2025, Mr Ortsin said, “That is the strangest part in all of this. There was no sense of urgency on the part of anyone. It’s liturgy all around.”

“And that is why I have come to a conclusion that this is very deliberate, this is very intentional. To what end? We don’t know. But it’s very obvious this is very deliberate and very intentional,” he stated.

Moreover, Mr Ortsin indicated that the Global Fund initially added a one percent amount to cover for the clearing of the commodities but due to increments in taxes at the port, the amount could not cover for the consignment.

“The Global Fund since 2002 has been sending commodities to the country… when these commodities are coming, they add extra money for clearance.

“With reference to this incident, the same PSM cost of 1% was added, that has been the practice throughout the years. Last year, when the commodities were shipped, the government initially said our port charges had gone up,” he stated.

He revealed that the Fund in May released US$85,000 to the Health Minister to be topped up to clear the medicines.

However, demurrages and third-party charges are amounting to seven million cedis, which must be paid.