Ernest Chemists Ltd (ECL) Ghana’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company, has donated various quantities of essential pharmaceutical products to the Ghana Prisons Service to assist the service stock its newly established Medicines Bank.
The gesture follows a request by the service to ECL and other pharmaceutical companies to support the initiative which is aimed at adequately addressing the health needs of prison inmates across the country.
The products, valued at GHS130,000 comprised Blood tonics, Pain relievers, Antibiotics, Infusions, Anti-Inflammatory Cream, Antidiabetic and Antihypertensive medicines.
Presenting the products, the Head of Commercial at ECL, Mr. Emmanuel Adu said the company recognizes that good health is a right and not a privilege which right must also be enjoyed by prison inmates.
He stated that this is not the first time the company has supported the service with essential medicines.
“About two years ago, we supported the Kumasi Central prison service with products for the treatment of topical diseases which is prevalent in the prison service,” he said.
He acknowledged the difficult conditions under which prison inmates live, noting that this gesture, it was expected would help the service in its quest to reform, rehabilitate, and care for persons in custody.
“We recognise that access to basic healthcare is a fundamental need, and we believe supporting the Prison Service is one way of extending care to a segment of society that is often overlooked,” he stated.
Mr. Adu stressed that the medicines will help boost immunity, support recovery, and improve daily wellbeing, adding ‘’a healthy body supports a sound mind, and a sound mind is key to rehabilitation.”
He urged other corporate bodies to emulate the shining example shown by ECL by supporting this worthy cause initiated by the Prison Service.
Receiving the donation, Deputy Director of Prisons, Edward Ashun expressed gratitude to ECL for supporting this laudable initiative launched by the service.
He acknowledged that inadequate medical supplies have long hindered effective healthcare delivery within the service.
According to him, the short supply of essential medicines has made it difficult to provide timely treatment for both inmates and officers. This support, he noted will significantly improve access to healthcare within the service’ facilities.