Locked up medicines at Tema Port: There is no political will to clear them – Coalition of CSOs

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A public health emergency is brewing due to the ongoing lockup of Global Fund-donated health commodities at Tema Port, causing stock outs in health facilities across the country.

A coalition of CSOs in HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria has served notice to hit the streets in ten days if government fails to clear the medications wasting away at the port.

Since May last year, over 40 million dollars’ worth of commodities, including Antiretrovirals (ARV) for HIV treatment, TB medications, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) for malaria treatment, Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs), Rapid Diagnostic Test kits, and Gene (pert Cartridges) were stranded at the Tema port. The ongoing commodity deadlock is primarily due to a combination of taxes, levies, and port charges worth 3.6 million dollars.

Leadership of the coalition made up six CSOs are concerned about the safety of delicate commodities and the potential expiration or safety risks of expired medications if no action is taken now, threatening human consumption.

Convener of the coalition of the CSO network Ernest Ortsin said: “We kept receiving assurances from the Ministry of Health and we are tired. This is something that has been delivered to the country free of charge and this taxes and levies will definitely come back to the coffers of government so why can’t you waive it. As we speak, ARTs in stock cannot last beyond one month. We want to see the drugs cleared else we are pulling through with our scheduled activities.”

Persons living with HIV/AIDS rely on essential commodities for their survival, and if not cleared and distributed, they may face shortages at health centers within a month.

“Some of us take 6 months’ supply of our medications. Some do three months and others one month. Now when you go its one month you get. I have checked from some facilities, in bono and co and its happening. Is it not shortage? Sometimes we feel our leaders do not care about us.” Madam Elsie Ayeh, President of the PLHIV lamented.

A board member of the global fund Coordinating mechanism in the country, Cecelia Senoo believes the current situation is due to a lack of political will.

She said: “if the President or Parliament decides to clear these things today, it will be cleared. Its lack of political will and misplaced priority. When the shortage happens that means we will be eroding all the gains made so far in the management of these diseases. It’s bad.”