By Richard Agodzo
Ghana’s fight against HIV faces a significant setback, as lifesaving drugs for HIV-exposed infants remain stranded at Tema Port since July 2024. Despite the critical importance of these medications, necessary for preventing the transmission of HIV from mothers to their infants, bureaucratic delays have resulted in a situation that puts hundreds of vulnerable children at risk. The urgency of this situation is highlighted by mothers living with HIV across various health facilities, who continue to face the frightening possibility of their infants becoming infected due to a lack of proper medication.
Mothers across Ghana have expressed their frustration and heartbreak as they attempt to protect their children. Many are struggling to secure adequate medication, with some health facilities rationing or sharing the drugs. One mother from a health facility in Accra, visibly distressed, shared, “We are doing everything we can as mothers to keep our babies healthy. But how can we protect them if the drugs are not available? We live in fear every day, wondering if our children will be safe.”
The situation is dire for these mothers and their children. The Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+ Ghana) has raised alarm over the devastating consequences of this delay. These medications, vital for preventing HIV transmission and safeguarding the health of exposed infants, are a matter of life and death. Without them, children face an increased risk of contracting HIV, developing life-threatening complications, or even succumbing to the virus.
A mother from the Ashanti Region explained the painful dilemma she faces. “We’ve been told to share the drugs among us. But how do you decide which child gets more protection? All our children are at risk.” The strain of the drug shortage extends beyond the emotional toll, with mothers feeling helpless and fearful for their infants’ futures. Another mother echoed this sentiment, saying, “I don’t want to lose my child to HIV. This is not our fault, but we are the ones who suffer.”
NAP+ Ghana has not remained silent in the face of this crisis. In a recent press release, the organization urgently called for the clearance of the lifesaving drugs being held at Tema Port. The group has demanded immediate action from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Revenue Authority, and other stakeholders to prioritize the clearance and distribution of these medications to health facilities nationwide. According to NAP+ Ghana, any further delay is not just bureaucratic inefficiency, but a violation of these infants' fundamental right to health and survival
The call to action by NAP+ Ghana is not just about protecting the health of HIV-exposed infants; it is about ensuring that the next generation has the chance for a healthy start in life. “Every child deserves to be born free from HIV. But without access to these medications, we are putting our future at risk,” says a representative from NAP+ Ghana. The group emphasizes that immediate steps must be taken to prevent avoidable infections and deaths that will occur if the drugs are not cleared and distributed.
The mothers, as they continue to advocate for their children, embody resilience and courage. But their strength alone cannot save their children without swift intervention from the relevant authorities. As one mother poignantly put it, “We are not asking for much. Just for our children to be given the chance to live.”
This crisis sheds light on the broader challenges faced by Ghana's healthcare system in responding to the HIV epidemic. The ongoing delay reveals the urgent need for improved logistical and administrative coordination between health authorities, customs officials, and port authorities. More importantly, it underscores the necessity of ensuring that the most vulnerable – in this case, infants born to mothers living with HIV – are prioritized in Ghana’s health agenda.
As Ghana moves forward, the government must act now to prevent more HIV infections and save the lives of these exposed infants. The delay in clearing the drugs should serve as a reminder that the health and wellbeing of children should never be compromised by bureaucratic inefficiencies. For the sake of the mothers who continue to fight for their children’s futures, and for the sake of the infants whose lives are at stake, the time to act is now.
As a mom of an HIV-exposed baby, the thought of medication shortages is terrifying. What future awaits my child without access to lifesaving treatment?
ReplyDeletePlease, let's prioritize our children's health and ensure steady medication supply. No parent should face this uncertainty alone.