The clearance of locked-up medical supplies expected to take an additional two weeks.

Individuals living with HIV, tuberculosis, and other health conditions reliant on Global Fund-donated medications will face further delays in receiving their supplies.

Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, spokesperson for the Coalition of CSOs in Health, explained that despite completing all customs documentation, logistical challenges are causing delays. Currently, only sixteen containers can be cleared per day.

Ortsin estimated it will take an additional two weeks to transport all containers to their respective destinations across the country.

“Although clearance has been granted for all containers to be moved, the rate of truck offloading per day poses a challenge. Normally, the Central Medical Stores handles eight trucks daily, but due to current circumstances, they are managing a maximum of sixteen. This delay is affecting the transport of containers from the port to the warehouse,” Ortsin stated.

He added that this week, they are expecting delivery of 70 containers, with provisions already made. Earlier, 64 containers were received, and another 64 are expected next week. Based on their projections, all containers should reach warehouses within a maximum of two weeks.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News, Ortsin mentioned that while some medications have been shipped to regional centers, two containers containing injectables await certification from the FDA.

“We started with the first batch to arrive. Upon their arrival, the FDA conducted inspections. All certified medications were promptly dispatched to the regions. Only one or two containers remain, which are still undergoing FDA testing for malaria and artesunate injections. These containers have yet to be transported, while all others have already been distributed to regional medical stores,” Ortsin confirmed.

He reassured that the inspected medications sent to regional medical stores were deemed safe and in good condition for use.

“The FDA approved them, and they were subsequently transported. For those with outstanding issues, the FDA has not yet authorized their transport, so they remain at the warehouse,” he added.”