#LogisticsWithPurpose

[gloriasewor]

How Portlink Supports Medical and Pharmaceutical Logistics

By Gloria Sewor

Medical logistics doesn’t come with a second chance.

Whether it’s vaccines, surgical equipment, or antimalarial drugs, the margin for error is razor-thin. A few degrees off in temperature, an hour too long in customs, or one missed document—any of these can make a shipment unusable. And unlike other cargo, there’s often a human consequence attached.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that transporting pharmaceuticals isn’t about just moving boxes. It’s about precision, timing, and care.

And in Ghana, where the demand for quality healthcare delivery continues to grow, the need for dependable medical logistics is only becoming more urgent.

A Different Kind of Cargo

Medical and pharmaceutical shipments are unlike other freight in several important ways:

Time-sensitive: Some drugs and supplies have expiry windows so tight, even a short delay can lead to rejection.

Temperature-controlled: Cold chain integrity is non-negotiable. A broken cold chain often means wasted inventory.

Highly regulated: Customs clearance for medical goods involves extra paperwork, permits, and often, verification from health authorities.

High-stakes: A delay in a shipment of blood bags or diagnostic kits can derail entire hospital programs or outreach campaigns.

You don’t just plan these shipments. You choreograph them.

The Systems We Put in Place

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, supporting pharmaceutical and medical logistics means being proactive on multiple levels. Here’s how we handle it:

1. Cold Chain Management

We work closely with partners who provide temperature-controlled containers—refrigerated trucks, insulated pallet boxes, and, where needed, gel-packed cartons for last-mile delivery.

We also monitor temperature using data loggers or IoT sensors, allowing us to verify the cold chain remained intact throughout transit. There’s no room for guessing.

2. Rapid Customs Clearance

Pharmaceuticals can’t wait for slow clearance. We pre-process documentation before the shipment even arrives at the port. That includes obtaining the necessary permits from Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and securing exemptions or fast-track approvals when applicable.

For one recent government consignment of pediatric medicines, our customs brokers coordinated with port health officers to ensure real-time clearance. From touchdown to warehouse, it took less than 24 hours.

3. Secure Warehousing

We offer bonded warehouse options with temperature-controlled storage zones—ideal for medicines awaiting distribution or quality inspections.

Our facilities near Kotoka International Airport allow for quick access and safe short-term holding while last-mile delivery is arranged. Especially useful for donor-funded medical shipments entering the country.

4. Trained Handling Staff

Moving medicine is not like moving paper or electronics. Our staff are trained to follow Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards—wearing gloves when necessary, avoiding unnecessary exposure, and documenting every transfer of custody.

Case Study: Rural Vaccine Distribution

A real-world example: In late 2023, we supported a major vaccination rollout in partnership with a public health NGO. The vaccines needed to move from Accra to six regions, including some of Ghana’s most remote districts.

With limited cold storage in those areas, we had to build a mobile distribution plan—using insulated vans and trained couriers who could deliver doses directly to clinics within set temperature windows.

Delays would’ve compromised the entire batch.

It wasn’t easy. Roads washed out. One freezer truck broke down mid-route. But we adapted, rerouted, and finished delivery within 72 hours. That program reached over 50,000 children.

It’s something I still think about.

Proud to Share Our Story Globally

This year, PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, based in Ghana, is a nominee for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council in London this November.

The event isn’t just a celebration—it’s a global exchange of ideas. Businesses from around the world, sharing innovations, solving shared challenges, and forging partnerships across borders. For us, it's a chance to learn from others and also to showcase how African logistics companies are stepping up—not just commercially, but in areas like healthcare and community well-being.

We’re honored to be part of it.

Final Thought

Medical logistics isn’t glamorous. It’s quiet, precise, and full of pressure.

But when you get it right, lives are improved—or even saved. That’s why we treat every shipment of medicine, every crate of supplies, as something far more than freight. It’s responsibility. It’s trust.

And at PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we take that trust seriously. Every day. Every delivery.

[sahanilogistics]

🌐 At Sahani Logistics: 'Connecting Peoples, Improving Lives' - Here's how we make a difference: - 🤝 Unity in Diversity: Embrace the power of diverse communities to foster understanding and progress. - 💪 Empowerment through Collaboration: Join forces to amplify strengths and drive positive change. - 🌉 Bridging Distances, Building Bonds: Overcome distances to forge connections that enrich lives. - 🔗 From Networks to Impact: Transform lives by uplifting and inspiring through every connection. - 🌍 A World United: Realize everyone's potential in a world where every life is valued. #SahaniLogistics #ImprovingLives #BridgingDistances #LogisticsWithPurpose #UnityInDiversity #Collaboration #ConnectingPeoples #CommunityBuilding