The Ghana Health Service has revealed that it has noticed with great concern, a publication in sections of the media alleging that 3 staff of the Service who work in various hospitals in the Greater Accra Region have been arrested for stealing and selling Covid- 19 vaccines.
According to the Service, it condemns such alleged criminal act in no uncertain terms.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said “An administrative inquiry is being instituted and appropriate sanctions shall be applied if they are found culpable. The Service commits to cooperate with the security agencies to unravel the circumstances leading to this illicit act”
The communique also added that as communicated previously, the Service wishes to emphasize, that all Covid-19 Vaccines, are free of charge and as such, all citizens should be vigilant and report anyone who comes to them with a proposal to sell Covid-19 Vaccines.
The Service has assured the general public, that together with all stakeholders, it will ensure that all persons eligible for the vaccine get it free of charge.
Background
It will be recalled that some media houses reported that three (3) persons have been grabbed for stealing and selling COVID-19 Vaccines in the Greater Accra Region.
The three as reported were; Stephen Dzisenu, a 37-year-old Disease Control Officer of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, was said to have stolen 36 vials of COVIDSHIELD.
Cosmos Allotey, a 42-year-old Occupational Health, and Safety Officer was also said to have received the stolen COVIDSHIELD from Pabitey and Dzisenu. Allotey allegedly administered the vaccines at a cost of GHs 200.00 per jab.
Joseph Knight, a Project Assistant and a former Laboratory Technician at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital was also being held for abetment of crime.
The three suspects were said to have been remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court and rescheduled to reappear on April 1.
However, it was also reported that Lord Pabitey, a Disease Control Officer at the La Bawalashie Polyclinic, who is at large, also allegedly stole 26 vials of COVIDSHIELD.
Below is a copy of the release:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith