The Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, says measures and strategies that were deplored through the collaborative efforts of the government, international organisations and healthcare providers across the country in the fight against HIV/AIDS have yielded tremendous results.
“Worthy of note are increased access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and a decline in HIV-related mortality rates, as well as the establishment of treatment centers nationwide, ensuring that affected individuals have a place to seek medical care and access anti-retroviral drugs”, he said.
Additionally, treatment guidelines and protocols have been developed and implemented to ensure the delivery of standardised care. He said available data also points to the fact that there is a decline in the rate of new HIV infection.
“These achievements made in Ghana are truly remarkable and are a testament to the commitment and collaborative efforts of the government, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and the people of Ghana”, he noted.
Addressing journalists at the media launch of Antiretroviral Treatment @ 20 in Accra on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 Dr. Kuma-Aboagye underscored the importance of sustaining the gains made and further urged all stakeholders in the health sector to work harder to address the remaining challenges.
The program was under the theme: “20 years of HIV Anti-Retroviral Treatment in Ghana; Celebrating the progress, ending the epidemic”.
Ghana diagnosed its first AIDS case in March 1986 and by May 1986, 26 cases had been identified.
Since then, the country has experienced a generalised HIV epidemic, with a current prevalence of 1.7%.
The prevalence, however, is much higher amongst key populations, particularly female sex workers (4.6%) and men who have sex with men (26%), according to data released by the Ghana Health Service.
The data further revealed that presently, an estimated 354,927 people are living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ghana.
Out of this, 7% are children aged 0-4; 6% are adolescents aged 10-19; whilst the remaining 87% are adults. In line with the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, 254,753 (72%) of the estimated PLHIV know their status; 222,581 (83%) are on ART and 151,549 (68%) have achieved viral suppression.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye, commenting further, said stigma and discrimination towards individuals living with HIV still persist and act as formidable barriers to testing, treatment and adherence to anti-retroviral drugs.
To overcome this, he said, there is the need to intensify efforts to educate and sensitise communities and dispel myths and misconception surrounding HIV and ARV.
Furthermore, he urged players in the health sector to strive for the sustainability of the ARV programs and ensure adequate funding for consistent supply of ARV medications and the proper functioning of treatment centers.
“We must also strengthen our healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that healthcare professionals are trained and equipped to effectively manage HIV and provide continuous care. We must never underestimate the power of prevention. While ARVs are crucial in managing HIV, prevention is equally significant.
“We must emphasize the importance of comprehensive prevention strategies, including education, condom distribution, and the promotion of voluntary counseling and testing services. By combining prevention efforts with the widespread use of ARV, we can work towards an AIDS-free generation”, he emphasized.
The Presidential Adviser, HIV/AIDS, Dr. Mokowa Blay Adu-Gyamfi, who chaired the program, urged stakeholders in the health sector to use the celebration to reflect on the profound impact that anti-retroviral therapy has had on the lives of people with HIV.
“It has provided hope, dignity and a renewed sense of purpose to individuals and communities around the world”, she said.
In his welcome address, the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, underscored the need for more collaborative efforts in addressing stigma, discrimination and inequality that still remain a challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dr Fred Nana Poku, who represented the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, also urged players in the health sector to further put in more efforts to addressing early infant diagnosis, which is one of the challenges inhibiting progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Among the activities outlined for the celebration include: tour of ART sites and a commemoration project; documentaries that will take the public down memory lane from 2003 to date; special time with NAP+; Quiz, debate, sports competitions and a health walk dubbed “Adhere to Survive”.
Furthermore, there will be national stakeholder dialogue on ART commodity security titled “Procure HIV commodities or perish with passion”; a research conference; an out of school engagement with Miss Malaika, an ART special trophy soccer match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko; a legacy project and a durbar and an awards night to honor heroes and heroines in the fight against HIV.
By: Stephen Odoi-Larbi and Bernice Bessey
