The Network of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS has issued an urgent plea to key stakeholders to swiftly intervene in the clearance process of essential health products valued at a significant US$40 million.
The imperative nature of this intervention is underscored by the potential threat of these crucial health items facing destruction.
In a comprehensive statement released on Friday, the network emphasized that the at-risk products, including Antiretrovirals (ARVs) and Malaria products, play a vital role in supporting Ghana’s HIV and Malaria programs.
The imminent danger of their destruction looms large, posing a severe risk of widespread stockouts of these indispensable commodities. Such stockouts could result in the interruption of critical health services, including the scheduled 2024 Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) mass campaign.
The network urgently called upon various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), to take immediate and concerted action to address this impending crisis.
The statement stressed, “Immediate action is necessary to ensure that the requisite clearances are obtained promptly, preventing the destruction of these vital health products. Failure to address this issue would have severe consequences, impacting the health and well-being of countless individuals who depend on these medications.”
The call for intervention extends beyond a mere procedural matter, emphasizing the far-reaching implications on public health if swift measures are not taken to avert the potential destruction of these critical health supplies.
The network’s plea underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation, urging collective efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of those reliant on these essential medications.