A dire situation has emerged in Ghana, raising alarms over the potential destruction of life-saving health products valued at US$40 million.
Financed by the Global Fund, these critical supplies, including Antiretrovirals (ARVs) and Malaria products, are essential for supporting HIV and Malaria programs in the country.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that if these health products are not cleared within the next 24 hours, they face the risk of being destroyed.
The potential consequences of such destruction extend beyond monetary value, threatening massive stockouts of key commodities and jeopardizing vital health services, including the upcoming 2024 Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) mass campaign.
By a statement signed by Madam Elsie Ayeh, President of NAP+ Ghana, which is available to The Ghanaian Standard, a collective plea is now being made to all relevant stakeholders, urging immediate intervention to prevent the impending destruction of these crucial health products.
The Ministry of Health (MoH), Ghana Health Service (GHS), Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are among the key entities called upon to take swift action.
“We have been alerted to a critical situation that requires immediate attention. Life-saving health products, financed by the Global Fund and worth US$40 million, are at risk of being destroyed if not cleared within the next 24 hours,” reads the urgent appeal.
The potential consequences of failing to address this issue are severe, as it could lead to disruptions in health services and negatively impact the well-being of countless individuals dependent on these medications.