I’ve asked NHIA to release $5m to purchase vaccines for immunisation – Health Minister

An amount of 5 million U.S dollars from the National Health Insurance Authority is expected to fund the procurement of vaccines which will run out of stock in the next three months.

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh said this when he met with GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, to discuss ways of strengthening vaccine support and providing technical assistance to Ghana’s health sector.

Acknowledging the challenges in meeting financial obligations, the Minister said the government is committed to ensuring payments are made on time for vaccines to be procured without unnecessary delays to enhance routine immunization service.

“When I took over office, I realized that the level of the stocks we have for vaccines are very low and we will be running out of stock very soon. So, we have instructed the National Health Insurance to release an amount of about 5 million U.S dollars so that we can start the processes of purchasing new ones so that we don’t completely run out of stock in the country.”

According to the Minister, there are ongoing efforts to ensure that by the end of 2030, Ghana will be able to finance its own vaccine needs.
“By 2030, we will have to take up the full responsibility, so we are taking steps to be able to sustain the supply of these vaccines in the system without the assistance of Gavi or any foreign partner.”

The Minister also emphasized that locally manufactured vaccines will be an integral part of the initiative. He said, “So, one of the steps we have taken is to make sure that at least the ones we can manufacture locally we do that. Now, we have the National Vaccines Institute in place and we have other local pharmaceutical players who have also come on board and so we are at the very advanced stage and I think that when we collaborate with them, we may be able to produce some of these vaccines locally.”

The Senior Country Manager for GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, Aichatou Cisse said, the alliance will continue to support Ghana.

She said, “We are partners, and we can support if we get offers that we need to do so. But it’s the decision of the government and they can come to us for support. Gavi has longer experience in vaccine procurement and working with vaccine manufacturers so we can build a partnership on this, but we will just follow the lead of Ghana.”

GAVI has been instrumental in improving immunization access in Ghana through innovative programs and partnerships since 2001. This partnership with Ghana has strengthened immunization services and improved child health outcomes.

By Samuel Yeboah Adams

The post I’ve asked NHIA to release $5m to purchase vaccines for immunisation – Health Minister first appeared on 3News.

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