The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has raised concerns about the potential deterioration of the conditions for HIV patients if the government does not address the challenges the service faces in clearing antiretroviral drugs at the port.
Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programmes Manager for the National AIDs and Sexually Transmitted Diseases at the GHS, highlighted the high taxes on drugs at the port, making it difficult for the service to purchase the necessary medication due to limited resources during an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on February 14.
He emphasized that the escalated pricing for clearing drugs has surpassed the allocated budget, posing a significant challenge to the continuous supply of life-saving medication. Dr. Addo also stressed the importance of the government’s understanding of the role these drugs play in sustaining human life. He emphasized the need for measures to ensure a constant supply to avoid worsening the conditions of HIV patients.
Additionally, the GHS is in discussions to secure a tax waiver from the Ministry of Finance to facilitate the affordable acquisition of essential drugs.
Dr. Addo further explained that lifting the foot off the pedal on drug supply could lead to the development of HIV drug resistance, exacerbating the situation for patients. He emphasized the need for prioritizing the availability of these life-saving drugs to avoid a potential second epidemic.
The issues raised by the GHS shed light on the critical importance of addressing port clearance difficulties to ensure the uninterrupted supply of antiretroviral drugs for HIV patients in Ghana. Failure to do so could have severe consequences for the health and well-being of affected individuals.
