The Ministry of Health has announced the receipt of funds necessary to clear the backlog of 64 containers of Global Fund commodities, including crucial TB medications, currently held at the Tema port.
This follows protest by the Minority on the Health Committee and an ultimatum to the government to have the medical supplies cleared within 24-hours.
The Ministry confirmed it received a total of 283 containers from the Global Fund and with the help of the Ministry of Finance, auction chits were secured for 219 containers, leaving 64 containers pending clearance.
The delay, according to the Ministry was due to third-party charges amounting to GH¢7,429,694.39.
“In addition to these charges, a request letter was sent to the Ministry of Finance to assist in the securing of auction chits for the outstanding 64 containers which comprises of one TB medication container, the remaining mosquito nets, and the outstanding third-party charges,” the Ministry said in a statement.
It indicated that the Ministry of Finance has allocated GH¢7,429,694.39 to cover the demurrage and ensure the clearance of all remaining containers.
“The Ministry of Health has now received an amount of GH¢7,429,694.39 from the Ministry of Finance for the payment of demurrage for the clearance of all Global Fund outstanding containers at the Tema Port. This amount is expected to complement the payment of third-party charges as outlined above,” the statement said.
With the funds now secured, the Ministry of Health anticipates that all outstanding containers will be cleared by the end of June 2024. This action is expected to expedite the availability of essential medical supplies to healthcare facilities across the country.
“We urge the people of Ghana and our stakeholders to continue to exercise patience as we work to ensure the clearance and delivery of these essential commodities for the good of public health,” the Ministry’s statement read.
The items included 272 containers of treated mosquito nets, two containers of pharmaceuticals (ARVS, HIV RDTs, and ACTS, a container of TB medication and eight containers medical devices and equipment (TB cartridges).