The Ghana Network of Persons living with HIV/AIDS (NAP+Ghana), a non-governmental organization with the mission to improving the life of persons living with HIV, (PLHIV) has advocated for government to purchase locally manufactured ARV drugs to ensure sustainability of the supply of the medicine to the PLHIV.

The group made the call at a press conference held in Accra to articulate the challenges they faced in getting uninterrupted supply of ARV drugs as PLHIV.

Media reports over the years have indicated perennial shortages of the ARV drugs across the country’s health centres owing to the delay in the procurement process of the imported drugs from the harbour to the medical stores for onward distribution to health centres.

“This situation is causing a lot of discomfort to the PLHIV because they are sometimes forced to stay without drugs or are asked to visit the hospital on a weekly basis for drug supply,” says Raymond Ahorlu, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NAP+ Ghana.

Ahorlu said PLHIV suffer a lot of consequences because of the long time it takes to clear consignment from the harbour to the medical stores.

He said many PLHIV are rendered jobless due to the constant absenteeism from their work places to visit the hospital for the drugs.

“Many also develop drug resistance and as a result die in the process,” he said.

Justifying the group’s appeal to government, Ahorlu indicated that neighbouring countries like Togo, Ivory Coast and Benin purchased their ARV drugs from local manufacturers in Ghana.

“So we find it difficult to understand why ARV drugs are made in our country and we continue to suffer shortages,” he asked.

He said the country stands to benefit should government decide to purchase the ARV drugs from local manufactures and not only when there is a shortage or delay in importing ARVs.

“The positive impact of this will be job creation for Ghanaians and also help achieve the Zero HIV related deaths as projected by the UNAIDS 2012-2015 strategic plan,” he concluded.

Kofi Amofa, National President of NAP+ Ghana acknowledged the effort of the government in making sure steps were taken to ensure local manufactures met the standard of the World Health Organization (WHO).

“We know government is doing something about it but we want the authorities in charge to act quickly so we can all benefit,” he said.

Rev John Azumah, a PLHIV sharing his experience said PLHIV were the most affected when there is a shortage of ARV supply. “We get frustrated because we go and they tell us to come back some other time because the drugs are not available.”

He said the perennial situation must be acted upon hence the call by the organization for government to consider full purchase of ARV drugs from the Ghanaian market.