The Chief Executive Office of Peace and Love Hospital, Dr Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, is urging the government to lower tariffs on donated medical supplies meant for public and private healthcare facilities in Ghana.

She believes that the current high tariffs are deterring donors from sending essential medications and equipment, which is hindering the ability to adequately support Ghana's most vulnerable hospitals.

"Since we are not selling these items, the government can also waive the duties on them because we get them for free and we come and distribute to our institutions at no cost to them, so why should we pay duties on them?" she quizzed.

Dr. Wiafe-Addai urges the government to incentivize donations by waiving duties on medical consignments, which would encourage more donations and support healthcare facilities in rural areas.

She emphasizes that many people with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer cannot afford essential medication, and therefore, government-subsidized free medical supplies would ensure continued access to life-saving drugs, ultimately strengthening Ghana's healthcare system.

Following the distribution of hundreds of medicines valued to various Ghanaian health facilities, Dr. Wiafe-Addai emphasizes the need for government support.

The donated medicines, which included essential items such as drip (intravenous (IV) fluids), vagina speculum, pregnancy supplements medicine, intravenous infusions, Atenolol tablets, Labitalol tablets and Vicryl, were handed over to the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) Board members for further distribution to Christian health facilities across the country.

At a brief ceremony held at the Peace and Love Hospital, Dr. Wiafe-Addai addressed the media, expressing gratitude for the support from Direct Relief, a US-based NGO.

She explains that the organization's aid is focused on helping vulnerable people in middle and low-income countries, including Ghana. Dr. Wiafe-Addai emphasizes the importance of the beneficiary hospitals using the donated medicines to provide free treatment to patients, rather than selling them, to ensure that those in need receive the care they require.

A Board of Trustee member of the CHAG, Kwaku Frimpong, expresses his gratitude to Dr. Wiafe-Addai and her organization for their contribution to healthcare in Ghana.

He acknowledges the significant impact of their donation, stating that it has alleviated the struggles of vulnerable people in accessing essential medications.

Mr. Frimpong says that the timely donation is especially crucial given Ghana's current economic challenges. He assures that CHAG will ensure that the donated medicines are distributed free of charge to patients, providing much-needed relief to those struggling to access healthcare during these difficult times.