14 Essential Medicine Containers Cleared by MoH from 182 Stuck at Tema Port

The Ministry of Health (MoH) has successfully cleared 14 out of 182 containers at the Tema Port. These containers hold essential medicines for antiretroviral, Tuberculosis (TB), and malaria treatments, donated by the Global Fund (GF).

These vital medical supplies, which include antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients, had been held up at the Tema port for nearly a year due to the government’s failure to pay third-party fees.

Alhaji Hafiz Adam, the Chief Director of the MoH, announced that approximately 168 more containers are slated for clearance. These containers, which will cost around GHC17 million to clear, contain non-medicine commodities such as bed nets and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). “Today, 14 containers of health commodities comprising 10 containers of malaria RDT containers, one container of malaria injection, three containers of malaria medicine will be delivered to a warehouse” he added.

Acknowledging the necessity for diverse support in health investments, both financial and technical, the MoH Chief Director expressed optimism that the MoF, its agencies, and the public would persist in supporting the Ministry in its mission to provide quality healthcare access to Ghanaians.

In a statement released on April 9, the MoH reassured its stakeholders and the public that significant progress had been made in clearing the remaining 182 out of 435 containers at the Tema Port, which hold antiretrovirals, Tuberculosis (TB), and malaria medicines, by Friday, April 12, 2024.

“We wish to re-assure our stakeholders and the general public that the challenges associated with the clearing of MoH medicines and other commodities from the Tema Port and other points of entry have been conclusively and completely resolved by the Government,” the MoH stated in a release issued on Tuesday, April 9.

The MoH elaborated in the statement that as part of the Global Fund’s ongoing assistance to the Government of Ghana, it received 435 containers at the Tema Port between August 2023 and February 2024. These containers held anti-HIV, TB, and malaria medicines and mosquito nets for distribution across the country.

Out of the 435 containers, the MoH reported that it had promptly and successfully cleared 253 from the Port with the government’s support, leaving 182 containers.

The MoH, along with the MoF, GRA, and other stakeholders, reaffirmed their commitment to consistent and meaningful engagement to ensure that meeting the health needs of all people living in the country remains their collective priority.

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