Antiretroviral medications that had been held up at the Tema port due to tax-related concerns have now been released by the Ministry of Health.
This comes after the population of Ghana expressed anger at the government for not providing the medications that HIV/AIDS sufferers require.
The prescriptions were cleared on Friday, October 13, according to a statement from the ministry released on Monday, October 16, 2023, and distribution to the numerous hospitals experiencing the scarcity has begun.
“The Ministry of Health is pleased to inform the general public that the antiretroviral medications which delayed at Tema port was cleared on Friday, October 13, 2023, as was assured by the Ministry in relation to the rejoinder published on Saturday, October 7, 2023, on the aforementioned subject matter.
“The distribution of the medications to all affected facilities has begun in earnest.
“The Ministry is working in close collaboration with the Ghana Supply Commission to ensure seamless clearance of such drugs and related ones in future,” the statement signed by Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, Isaac Ofei-Baah said.
The Ministry had promised last week to clear the tax waivers that had hindered the release of the drugs.
“The Ministry of Health has taken note of some media headlines suggesting that donated antiretroviral drugs have been abandoned at ports since July, supposedly due to the government’s failure to waive taxes.
“The Ministry categorically states that these headlines are misleading and do not accurately reflect the truth.
“Having brought this to the attention of the commission, steps have been taken to secure the needed extra funds to ensure clearance by Friday, October 13, 2023,” the statement said.
Antiretroviral medications being readily available now would be a big comfort for the patients and the hospitals.