Unsettling news from the Ministry of Health suggested that important live-saving vaccines, particularly Measles, Rubella, and the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), are in short supply for the first time in the history of childhood immunization in Ghana. An unsettling development that threatens to undo the major advancements made over the years that have positioned Ghana as one of the top achievers in vaccine deployment and coverage on the international stage. Whiles commending the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Health and its partners such as UNICEF-Ghana, Global Vaccine Alliance for ensuring smooth implementation of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), RISE-Ghana notes with grave concern the recent development and wish to bring to the urgent attention of stakeholders to the following concerns:
1. In accordance with the resource pooling function under the health strengthening systems approach, the Government of Ghana/Ministry of Finance should right away establish up a dedicated account for revenues arising from the COVID-19 levy to act as an emergency fund.
2. Establish solid alliances between the government, the private sector, and development partners to launch a risk communication and education program to uphold public confidence in vaccines and reduce the likelihood of fear and panic.
3. Whiles it is refreshing that, the much-awaited and novel National Vaccine Institute Bill has been approved by parliament awaiting Presidential assent, we wish to emphasize that, the GHANA CHILD CANNOT WAIT and we cannot afford to a lose a single child due to this current shortage of much-needed vaccines.
4. As the first country in the world to sign on the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCR), Ghana must make good her moral and legal obligation to uphold and promote “the best interest of the child” in all aspects and especially during this difficult times of global vaccine stress
5. The urgent political will that the call for a public health emergency fund, supported by civil society organizations like SEND-Ghana, merits must be provided.
6. Finally, the present situation should serve as a wake-up call for urgent recommendations for Ghana to "produce our own vaccines locally," in the words of His Excellency President Akuffo Addo.
7. We applaud the brave health workers and stakeholders for their steadfast dedication to upholding the advancements over time.
By Zeusblog
