Apologise to Ghanaians Over Delayed HIV Drug Clearance- Minority to Health Ministry
The Minority in Parliament in a statement signed by Member of Parliament for Juaboso Constituency, Kwabena Minta-Akandoh, has called on the Ministry of Health to issue a formal apology to the people of Ghana.
This demand comes in response to the Ministry’s handling of the delayed clearance of HIV drugs at the port.
“At this juncture, the least it can do is offer an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for its failure to perform the simple function of clearing donated goods for PLHIV.”
The Minority criticised the Ministry’s explanation for the delay, referring to it as “utterly untenable” and an affront to the generosity of donors. They believe that the Ministry had more than enough time to prepare the necessary documentation and secure funding for the timely clearance of essential HIV drugs.
Furthermore, they expressed bewilderment at the Ministry’s timeline, pointing out that it took several months from the receipt of the shipping consignment in July to the Ministry’s press statement in October, where they claimed to have finally secured extra funds for clearance.
The statement referred to this delay as “incompetence of the highest order” and questioned why the Ministry didn’t take action earlier.
“The excuse citing the high volume of the consignment requiring additional funds for clearance is utterly untenable. Such consignments do not appear suddenly at ports of entry without prior notice to receiving agencies. The Ministry had ample time, spanning weeks if not months, to prepare the necessary documentation or secure funding warrants for the timely clearance of these essential consumables upon their arrival.”
The shortage of HIV antiretroviral drugs in Ghana had been widely reported, with the Ministry’s delay in issuing tax waivers cited as the cause.
However, the Ministry released a statement refuting these claims as “misleading.” They explained that the Ghana Supply Commission managed the clearance of antiretroviral drugs on time, but the unexpectedly high volume of the consignment required additional resources.
The Ministry has assured that funds will be secured for clearance by Friday, October 13, 2023.
It further indicated that only four percent of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana relied on these specific medications while the remaining 96% were well supplied.
But the Minority asserts the Ministry by this suggestion downplayed the impact of the current health crisis caused by the shortage of antiretroviral drugs and has thus demanded an apology.
“While the Ministry concluded its statement with mere rhetoric about its steadfast commitment to safeguarding the health of all citizens, it inconsiderately downplayed the impact of the current health crisis caused by the shortage of antiretroviral drugs. By stating that only 4% of PLHIV are affected by the shortage, the Ministry overlooks the fact that this 4% represents some 15,000 fellow Ghanaians—brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, and professionals from all walks of life. Their health concerns should not be ignored by an institution entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of all Ghanaians.”
