The Parliamentary Minority has encouraged the government to give tax exemptions as soon as possible to allow the immediate clearance of antiretroviral medications and medical equipment at the country’s ports.
This was mentioned in a statement produced and signed by Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minority’s spokesperson on Health.
He noticed that people living with HIV who used Abacavir Lamivudine were at a higher risk of developing resistance to this antiretroviral treatment.
Since July of this year, media outlets have reported on the neglect of donated containers of HIV anti-retroviral medications at ports.
The situation is said to have created needless shortages for Persons Living with HIV.
Reacting to this, the Minority said “The Ministry of Finance as a matter of urgency issue the necessary tax exemption waivers to ensure that immediate clearance of the antiretroviral drugs and other medical equipment and consumables; implement an automated tax exemption waiver system for medical consumables and equipment to curtail needless delays in clearing such items at the port and institute reforms at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to ensure that systemic failures that lead to needless delays in the performance of its functions are eradicated.”
According to the statement, the situation is a national emergency that, if not addressed, might lead to an increase in the prevalence rate of HIV in Ghana.
“The Health and well-being of Ghanaians are non-negotiable, and we urge the government to act swiftly and responsibly in addressing this crisis,” it added.
Read the full statement below
