Coalition calls for emergency procurement of drugs

The Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Health (GCNH) has called on the government to develop and implement a comprehensive emergency procurement plan (EPP), to replenish the stock of drugs at the national level, following the recent destruction of drugs at the Central Medical Stores in Tema by fire.

It said this needed to be done while steps were being taken to reconstruct the medical stores, as soon as practicable.

The coalition has also called on the government to implement a national comprehensive insurance policy and implementation plan for all state assets.

Addressing a news conference in Accra, the National Chairman of GCNH, Mr Gabriel Gbiel Bernarkus, who acted as the spokesperson of the coalition, noted that the fire disaster had the potential of triggering shortages in the supply of life-saving drugs, including those for HIV,TB, Malaria,sexually transmitted diseases and other life-threatening ailments. 

He cautioned that if the normal supply situation was not restored quickly, the country would experience an increase in the prices of medicines and other medical supplies.

‘’This situation could pave the way for drug manufacturers and peddlers to cash in by offering cheaper alternatives, which could adversely affect efforts aimed at managing or treating the sick,’’ he added. 

Independent forensic audit

The coalition further called on the government to conduct an independent forensic fire audit into the cause of the fire outbreak and take remedial action to avert future occurrences.