The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, has expressed concern over the delays in clearing essential healthcare products, particularly critical antiretroviral treatments (ARVs), at the ports.
Since June 2023, three shipments containing HIV ARVs have been stranded at the ports, posing a significant risk of viral spread.
Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene informed Citi News of the urgent need for these pharmaceuticals, as approximately 236 million global fund containers, including 211 malaria test kits and bed nets, remain stuck at the port.
The situation has strained the healthcare system and endangered individuals in need of these medications.
Dr. Atuahene underscored the importance of collaborating with the private sector to secure financing for HIV response efforts in the country.
He pointed out that in many other African nations, the private sector plays a vital role in funding healthcare initiatives, suggesting that Ghana should follow suit.
He also identified the National Health Assurance as a primary funding source and emphasized the necessity of exploring additional avenues, such as budgetary allocations outlined in Act 938.
“I cannot see why we always wait for commodities to stay at the port for so long and attract the mortgage when, especially, we have custom bonded warehouses where these commodities can be moved immediately after arrival so we do not attract the charges. But the duty bearers who are supposed to ensure that this works and works very well are sleeping on the job.
“I’m sorry to put it that way. And it is so embarrassing for some of us that we continue to fail to do our work and put the country and the government in such a bad light in the sight of our development partners. It’s so bad. It shouldn’t happen.”