USAID suspends supply chain support affecting distribution of essential health commodities in northern Ghana


 

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended its support for supply chain activities through Chemonics, affecting the Last Mile Distribution (LMD) of essential health commodities in Ghana’s three northern regions.

The decision follows an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump, enforcing a global freeze on U.S. foreign aid.

The suspension has resulted in a directive for SkyNet Express, the logistics company responsible for transporting medical supplies, to halt operations for a period of 90 days.

This action has raised significant concerns about the availability of essential medicines and health commodities, particularly in the Northern, North East, and Savannah Regions, which rely on the Northern Regional Medical Stores for distribution.

In a letter directed to the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, the Regional Director of Health Service, Northern Region, Dr Abdulai Abukari noted that the suspension is expected to disrupt key areas within the healthcare system, including:

Last Mile Distribution (LMD): The halt in distribution services is likely to cause stockouts of essential medicines, vaccines, and other critical health supplies, severely affecting healthcare service delivery in the affected regions. Procurement and Supply Chain Management: The withdrawal of technical assistance and logistics coordination previously provided through Chemonics will undermine inventory management, tracking, and reporting systems, making it harder to maintain a steady supply of commodities. Public Health Programme Implementation: USAID-funded programmes supporting maternal and child health, malaria prevention and treatment, family planning, and HIV/AIDS services are at risk of experiencing shortages, which could negatively impact service delivery and patient care.

In response to the crisis, the Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) convened an emergency meeting with District Health Management Teams (DHMTs) and Budget Management Centre (BMC) heads to assess the impact and explore mitigation strategies, the letter added.

It continued "following deliberations, it was agreed that SkyNet Express—previously engaged by USAID for LMD—could serve as a temporary solution to maintain scheduled distributions for 2025 while alternative funding and long-term strategies are sought."

Dr. Abubakari has therefore called for interventions to bridge the supply chain gaps.

He emphasized the need for engagement with key stakeholders and development partners to explore contingency measures, including alternative funding sources and distribution mechanisms, to sustain critical health services.



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