The Ministry of Health has responded to the latest Auditor General report on the $81 million Covid vaccine report.
According to the report, the Ministry of Health paid $120,192,379.80 to UNICEF/AVAT on behalf of the Government of Ghana for the supply of vaccines, “however, 5,109,600.00 doses of vaccines valued at $38,322,000.00 were supplied to the National Cold Room, leaving a difference of US$81,870,379.00 with UNICEF/AVAT.”
It was suggested that the Health Ministry’s Chief Director renegotiate and recover the outstanding balance.
In its response, the Ministry stated that the government had yet to take possession of the products due to unexpected hesitancy, cold chain storage challenges, spontaneous donations, and manufacturer’s storage difficulties.
“Due to the unexpected hesitancy, cold chain storage challenges, spontaneous donations, as well as manufacturer’s storage difficulties, the Ministry in June 2022, was compelled to agree on a delivery schedule for the remaining 11,052 million doses to be delivered from June to December 2022. According to the schedule, 1.6 million doses were to be delivered from June to December 2022 to complete the allocation. However, this process was delayed because of the aforementioned challenges.”
“Currently, the Ministry requested and has received the June allocation which was delivered in January 2023. In the meantime, the Ministry continues to work with the AVAT for a possible review of the contract, and would want to assure the public of our commitment to work in the supreme interest of the public.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
