The Secretariat of the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+ Ghana) has urgently appealed to President Akufo-Addo to safeguard their health by ensuring the continuous availability of essential medications crucial for their well-being.
Highlighting the perilous consequences of medication stock-outs, they implored the Ghanaian leader to prevent such occurrences, emphasizing the recent instance where vital medications were detained at the port for an extended period, jeopardizing lives.
“The inability of individuals to access essential antiretroviral therapy (ARV) due to stock-outs not only undermines our health but also poses a significant barrier to achieving our national HIV/AIDS targets”, the group noted.
The group underscored that the inability to access essential antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to stock-outs not only undermines individual health but also hinders national HIV/AIDS targets.
In a joint communiqué signed by NAP+ President Elsie Aryeh and regional chairpersons, the group advocated for robust, sustainable policies and mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV/AIDS medications.
Their proposed measures include NAP+ Ghana’s involvement in supply chain management, enhancing forecasting and procurement processes, and bolstering local manufacturing capacity.
“Together, we can ensure that every person living with HIV in Ghana has access to essential medications and in the right quantities”, they affirmed.
Celebrating the clearance of essential medications held at the port, the group expressed readiness to engage constructively with the government in HIV care deliberations.
Furthermore, they cautioned against illicit fundraising practices within the network, affirming a zero-tolerance stance and commitment to free medication distribution.
“As stakeholders deeply invested in the well-being of our community, we are committed to working collaboratively with the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable solutions to address this challenge. We believe that by enhancing community engagement, strengthening peer support networks, and improving community-level healthcare service delivery, we can mitigate the impact of lost to follow-up and ensure that every individual living with HIV in Ghana receives the care and support they need to thrive”, the communiqué in part read.
Ultimately, the group reiterated their dedication to collaborative efforts with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to address challenges of loss to follow-up and medication stock-outs, emphasizing the importance of a resilient, inclusive healthcare system that prioritizes the needs and rights of individuals living with HIV.