New HIV infections in Ghana

It is worrying that after Ghana made strides in reducing HIV and AIDS, the trend has suddenly changed and new infections are being recorded especially among young people. The question is what went wrong? Is it because there was complacency on the part of the Ghana AIDS Commission, the body mandated to handle coordination, policy formulation, resource mobilization and management of HIV and AIDS response that people were okay with the messages and would stick to them and change their behavior? Or there was not enough funding for continuous sensitization. Indeed it is really not good to forget at any point in time in one’s life to keep healthy and be out of danger. HIV is not contracted in a vacuum but through an activity. These are unprotected sex, blood to blood contact and exposure to HIV before, during birth or through breastfeeding.

It is on record that every minute 10 people become infected with HIV globally. UNAIDS report 2016 estimates that more than 36 million people are living with HIV globally. Ghana’s share of it is 290 thousand with 15 thousand deaths. New infections are being recorded at an alarming rate. The Ghana AIDS Commission says between 2010 and 2016 new infections rose to 70 percent which is unacceptable. Many people in Ghana are said to be living with HIV without knowing and they keep infecting others. This is very dangerous for the country. It is important to allay every fear and go for the Voluntary Counseling and Testing.

It is better to know your status, get treatment if positive or take care of yourself if negative.
HIV is no longer a deadly disease unlike previously where there was no treatment.
People living with HIV are now living healthy lives because of availability of treatment and some are even Ambassadors of the disease, sensitizing others. The Test and Treat Policy is still rolling and as soon as one is diagnosed with HIV, treatment begins unlike previously. In 2014 the global 90 – 90 – 90 targets were set to fast track the response to HIV. The target aims to end the disease by 2030. However, Ghana is bracing up to achieve the 90-90-90 target by 2020. Which means 90 percent of all people living in Ghana will know their HIV status, 90 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral treatment and 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. But 2020 is only two years away, so how feasible or realistic is this target. The onus lies on each and every citizen to get involved in the fight against HIV by first getting tested to know their status and receive treatment if positive, avoid unprotected sex by using condoms if one keeps multiple sex partners. Unfortunately some people get the disease through no fault of theirs, through the use of shared sharp instruments. It is sad that many people these days patronise the services of the free range pedicure and manicure boys who operate in the markets with unsterilized instrument. The added phenomenon is those who practice homosexuality and lesbianism, with opportunistic infections and increasing health hazards. The 4th National HIV and AIDS Research Conference 2018 ended a few days ago. Best practices were shared, new strategies have also been developed and a brighter future is expected to rid countries of HIV. It is important for each and every citizen of this nation to live responsibly sexually and be each other’s keeper.

People living with HIV are now living longer, thanks to treatment but the issues of stigma and discrimination still exist. Discrimination is an offence under the Ghana AIDS Commission Act 2016 (ACT 938). Under this Act, people living with HIV have the right to work and enjoy the fundamental human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution. Remember there is no cure for HIV though there is treatment, so be wise, and prevent HIV rather than being on the pill throughout your life.

BY: THERESA OWUSU AKO, A JOURNALIST.

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