The GENT+ Network has raised concerns over reported shortages of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines at some health facilities across Ghana, calling on authorities to take urgent steps to protect continuity of treatment for people living with HIV.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 11, 2026, the organisation said it had received reports from community volunteers, known as cadres, working at HIV treatment facilities across the country.
The cadres, who support people living with HIV through adherence counselling, follow-ups, defaulter tracing and psychosocial support under the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7, have reportedly raised concerns about access to ARV medicines at some facilities.
According to GENT+ Network, some clients who returned expired ARVs dated July 2026 were reportedly given replacement medicines with expiry dates as close as October 2026.
The organisation also said some people living with HIV had reportedly been asked to return the following month for their medication after being unable to receive their prescribed ARVs.
GENT+ Network said the reported situation was creating anxiety among clients and raising concerns about interruptions to treatment.
Concern over reported consignment delays
The organisation further expressed concern over reports that consignments of ARVs procured by the Global Fund and donated to Ghana were allegedly still at the Tema Harbour and had not yet been distributed to treatment centres.
GENT+ Network stressed that it had not independently verified the reports concerning the consignments but said the consistency of information from multiple community sources warranted immediate clarification from the relevant authorities.
The organisation called on the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, National AIDS/STI Control Programme, Ghana AIDS Commission, Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism and relevant port and supply-chain authorities to provide an update on the country’s ARV stock situation.
Calls for urgent action
GENT+ Network is also urging the authorities to clarify whether delays in clearing or distributing ARV consignments are contributing to shortages at health facilities.
It called for measures to ensure that people living with HIV do not leave health facilities without their prescribed medication and urged authorities to strengthen communication with health workers, community cadres and networks of people living with HIV.
The organisation also wants emergency measures introduced where necessary to prevent disruptions to treatment.
GENT+ Network said uninterrupted access to ARVs is critical to maintaining the health of people living with HIV and sustaining Ghana’s progress in HIV treatment and prevention.
The organisation said any prolonged disruption in access to the medicines could undermine public health gains achieved through years of collaboration among government, development partners, healthcare workers and communities.
The statement was signed by Richard Agodzo, Founder and Executive Lead of GENT+ Network, who called on authorities to treat the reported shortages with urgency, transparency and accountability.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
