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Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General, Ghana Health Service
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said it has launched an administrative investigation into the alleged theft of some COVID-19 vaccines by three service staff working at various hospitals in the Greater Accra region.
“The Service condemns these alleged criminal acts in no uncertain terms,” read the GHS press release issued on Saturday, March 20. “An administrative investigation is being initiated and the corresponding sanctions will be applied if they are found guilty. The Service undertakes to cooperate with the security agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to this illegal act ”.
The Service assured Ghanaians that vaccines are not for sale, adding that citizens must inform anyone who tries to sell them a vaccine.
“The Service once again assures the general public that, together with all interested parties, we will ensure that all persons eligible for the vaccine receive it free of charge,” highlights the statement signed by Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye. , CEO of GHS.
Background
National Security officials arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the theft and sale of COVISHIELD vaccines belonging to the Government of Ghana.
Stephen Dzisenu, a 37-year-old disease control officer at Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), is said to have stolen 36 vials of COVIDSHIELD.
In addition, Lord Pabitey, a disease control officer at La Bawaleshie Polyclinic, who is now on the run, allegedly stole 26 vials of the COVIDSHIELD vaccine.
Cosmos Allotey, the third suspect, is a 42-year-old occupational health and safety officer, who is said to have received the stolen COVIDSHIELD from Pabitey and Dzisenu.
Allotey allegedly administered the vaccines at a cost of GH ¢ 200.00 per injection.
Joseph Knight Gaisie, a project assistant and former laboratory technician at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, is also in custody for complicity in crime.
All three, Dzisenu, Gaisie and Allotey, have been taken into legal custody by an Accra Circuit Court to reappear on April 1.
The prosecutor, Detective Sergeant Frederick Sarpong, asked the court chaired by Ms. Afia Owusuaa not to grant bail to the defendants, as investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other individuals believed to be are involved in the alleged crime.
Charges against the defendants have not been preferred. Nor were any charges read to them in court. However, the facts of the case were read in a public hearing.
Detective Sergeant Sarpong said defendants, when released on bail, can interfere with investigations. He said that as of the events, other people involved had not yet been arrested and therefore he prayed to the court to keep them in custody.
