The Ministry of Health says it has cleared the anti-retroviral medications that were delayed at the Tema Port.

The Ministry made this known in a release signed by its Public Relations Officer, Isaac Ofei-Baah, adding that the clearance was made on Friday, October 13.

“The Ministry of Health is pleased to inform the general public that the antiretroviral medications which delayed at Tema Port was cleared on Friday, October 13, 2023, as was assured by the Ministry in relation to the rejoinder published on Saturday, October 7, 2023, on the aforementioned subject matter.”

The clearance comes after the Minority in Parliament’s call for the government to treat the shortage as a national crisis and act swiftly in addressing it.

This, they explained is because the situation “if unchecked could lead to an increase in the prevalence rate of HIV in Ghana, increase in morbidity and mortality for Persons Living with HIV, and increase the overall cost of HIV management in Ghana.”

They, therefore, called on the Finance Ministry to immediately grant tax waivers for the immediate clearance of anti-retroviral drugs and other medical equipment and consumables at the port.

However, the Ministry stated that “The distribution of the medications to all affected facilities has begun in earnest” after clearance.

It added that the Ministry is working in close collaboration with the Ghana Supply Commission to ensure seamless clearance of such drugs and related ones in the future.

“We wish to reiterate that the Ministry continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the health of all citizens and will continue to ensure the availability of essential healthcare resources,” the Health Ministry assured.