GHOSPA Appeals to Finance Ministry to Deploy 599 Pharmacists to Avert National Crisis

May 30, 2025 - 15:10

Accra, Ghana - 30 May, 2025 - The Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ghana (GHOSPA) has made an urgent plea to the Finance Ministry to grant financial clearance for the deployment of 599 pharmacist house officers, citing the risk of a national pharmaceutical crisis if the request is not met.

The association notes that 333 house officers are due to leave their posts by the end of May, which will create a substantial void in critical healthcare services and jeopardize patient safety.

According to GHOSPA, the 599 trained pharmacist house officers are ready to fill the critical roles left vacant by the departing officers, but their deployment is being hindered by pending financial clearance.

The association warns that the simultaneous exit of the 333 house officers without immediate replacement will overwhelm the remaining pharmacists, who are already understaffed, leading to medication errors, delayed treatments, and compromised patient safety.

GHOSPA is urging the Ministry of Finance to expedite the financial clearance process, prioritize healthcare workforce sustainability, and engage with relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue. The association emphasizes that pharmacists play a vital role in the healthcare system and that their absence would seriously affect hospital operations.

“GHOSPA calls on the Ministry of Finance to act NOW to avert this looming crisis. We also urge the media, civil society, and the public to join us in demanding an urgent resolution to this pressing issue,'' portions of the statement read.

The association is also seeking support from the media, civil society, and the public, urging them to join in demanding an urgent resolution to the issue.

Read the statement from the GHSOPA below;