
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the suspension of USAID support for the Global Procurement Supply Chain program, a move that is expected to severely impact health services in the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions. The suspension follows an Executive Order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, which has led to the immediate halt of the Last Mile Distribution (LMD) of essential medicines and vaccines.
SkyNet Express, the logistics company responsible for delivering these critical health supplies, has been instructed to cease operations for 90 days. This disruption is anticipated to result in significant shortages of essential health commodities, including medicines and vaccines, and weaken the overall procurement and supply chain management system.
The suspension threatens to undermine key public health programs, such as maternal health services, malaria treatment, and HIV/AIDS care, which rely heavily on the timely delivery of supplies. In response to the crisis, the Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) convened an emergency meeting with stakeholders to discuss mitigation measures. During the meeting, it was agreed that an alternative logistics provider would be engaged to temporarily manage LMD services in 2025 while long-term solutions are developed.
The GHS has emphasized the urgency of government intervention to address the emerging gaps in the supply chain and ensure uninterrupted access to critical health commodities. The Service warned that without immediate action, the suspension could have dire consequences for public health outcomes in the affected regions.
Stakeholders are now working to minimize the impact of the suspension and maintain the continuity of essential health services, even as they seek sustainable solutions to the supply chain challenges. The GHS has called for collaboration among all parties to safeguard the health and well-being of communities in the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com