The Ministry of Health has refuted claims that the locked containers from the Global Fund at the Tema port contain essential drugs for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS treatment.
This denial comes in response to concerns raised by health-focused civil society organizations (CSOs), who warned of potential repercussions from the Global Fund if the containers are not promptly cleared.
The Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Isaac Offei Baah, clarified that the containers primarily hold mosquito nets, not medications for TB or HIV/AIDS, despite assertions by CSOs that the drugs are deteriorating at the ports.
He reiterated the Ministry’s stance amidst the ongoing controversy.
“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 getting them out and putting them 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,” he said.