TB patients in Ghana risk dying or having multi-drug-resistant TB due to an imminent shortage of essential TB drugs at health facilities across the country.
Drugs are currently being circulated among the health facilities to meet patients’ needs.
Our checks at one of the major referral hospitals in the country revealed a complete stockout of the following essential drugs:
- Isoniazid 300mg: 0
- Ethambutol 400mg: 0
- Clofazimine 100mg: 0
- Pyridoxine 100mg: 0
There was very little stock left of the rest of the drugs, which can barely last the facility for a week:
They include:
- Pyrazinamide 500mg: 4 packs
- Isoniazid 100mg: 4 packs
- Moxifloxacin 400mg: 6 packs
- Linezolid 600mg: 8 packs
- Paediatric Intensive: 9 packs
- Paediatric Continuation: 9 packs
54-year-old Jojo, who has been on the medications for the past six months, has drugs that can last him for only three days before his next visit for more medication, and he is already worried.
