The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) has revealed that, despite various efforts to end the spread of HIV and AIDS, recent reports of new cases are concerning.
According to the president of GHANET, Ernest Amoabeng Orstin, although the national prevalence rate has declined, the number of new cases in 2024 has surged.
“As a matter of fact, although our national prevalence has declined to 1.53%, the rate of new infections is quite alarming. For example, earlier this year, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) reported that the number of new infections in 2023 was 17,774. Additionally, in November this year, the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) reported that between January and September 2024, the number of newly diagnosed HIV cases reached approximately 34,000,” he noted in a press release marking this year’s HIV/AIDS Day, observed on December 1.
He stated that the increase in commercial sex and the declining use of condoms are contributing to the rise in new cases. He is therefore appealing to the general public, especially the youth, to adhere to safe sexual practices.
“Clearly, the above data shows that HIV and AIDS remain a significant issue, despite all the progress we have made over the years. Therefore, on this day, we wish to make a special appeal to all Ghanaians, especially the youth, to exercise caution regarding risky sexual behaviours. Recent reports of an upsurge in sex parties (orgies) and hookups (transactional sex), coupled with reports of low condom usage, are quite worrying,” he said.
Mr Amoabeng has called on the government to introduce additional measures to help combat the surge, stating, “We also wish to appeal to the government to consider introducing new interventions and strategies in the fight against HIV and AIDS. For example, the recent introduction of HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) kits has been widely embraced by the Ghanaian public, and there is now a soaring demand for the kits.”
He added, “In the same vein, we believe that a mass rollout of interventions such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) will gain high acceptance and popularity, especially among the youth, and will encourage condom usage. We encourage the private sector, particularly community pharmacies, to support such initiatives and make these commodities available in all corners of the country.”
One of the international roadmaps Ghana is considering in the fight against HIV/AIDS is UNAIDS’s “95-95-95 target,” but Mr Amoabeng revealed that Ghana is not performing well.
“Ghana’s progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets is, at present, uninspiring. The country has been able to test only 65% of the estimated 334,000 persons living with HIV (PLHIV). Of those tested, only 69% have been put on treatment. And for those on treatment, only 89% have achieved viral suppression.”
He also lamented that a lack of adequate funding is hindering their efforts to combat the epidemic, appealing to the government and other stakeholders to support their activities.
“A major factor affecting Ghana’s national response is the absence of a dedicated fund to support interventions. The promise of successive governments to establish an AIDS Fund has only been paid lip service over the years,” he said.
He further noted that international donor support is also declining, highlighting the need for government intervention and urging other stakeholders to join forces in ending the spread of the virus in the country.
Source: myjoyonline.com