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JoyNews has learnt that the Ghana Health Service has initiated processes to clear anti-retroviral drugs stuck at the country’s ports.
The drugs have been stuck at the ports since July 2023.
JoyNews’ James Avedzi after an interview with management of the Service confirmed that the issue of shortage has come to their attention.
According to the managers, they are working to resolve the issue.
They assured that by Wednesday, October 11, the drugs should be distributed to various health centers.
The Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+ Ghana) had revealed that Ghana is experiencing a shortage of anti-retroviral medication specifically the Abacavir Lamivudine regimen for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) across the country.
The Abacavir Lamivudine regimen is one of the many regimens that PLHIV needs daily to attain viral suppression, keep healthy and productive and in so doing, enable the country to reduce new HIV infections and end AIDS by 2030.
It is against this backdrop that the Minority caucus in parliament demanded that the Finance Ministry immediately grants tax exemption waivers for the immediate clearance of anti-retroviral drugs and other medical equipment and consumables at the port.
A release signed by the Ranking Member on the Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said “the Minority in Parliament finds it unconscionable gross dereliction of duty that government officials in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance will leave, since July 2023, donated containers of HIV anti-retroviral drugs at the ports creating needless shortages for Persons Living with HIV.”
According to the minority, they would not “sit aloof and let government plunge us all into needless danger.”
According to the release, the situation “if unchecked could lead to an increase in the prevalence rate of HIV in Ghana, increase in morbidity and mortality for Persons Living with HIV, and increase the overall cost of HIV management in Ghana.”
“The health and well-being of Ghanaians are non-negotiable, and we urge the government to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing this crisis,” portions of the release stated.
