We Must Intensify Campaign On Zero New Infections, Discrimination On HIV-AIDS-NAPLUS

The National Association of Persons Living With HIV and AIDS is advocating for zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero HIV-AIDS related deaths.

Acting National President of the association Brandford Yeboah speaking in an interview with Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow 87.5Fm said they have initiated programmes to raise awareness on the need for people to stay safe.

He said to achieve the zero new infections, Ghanaians must test to know their status, received and adhered to treatment if they tested positive.

He said that years ago, the mention of HIV and AIDS struck fear in the heart of many, but efforts over the years have brought hope even to those who infected.

Mr. Yeboah who has survived the disease over the past 28 years told the host Ghanaians there is no need for fear since there are means to help- persons living with HIV and AIDS to survive.

He also touched on efforts and gains made in eradicating the mother to child transmission.

On his part, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Tetteh Quao Tei said the prevalence rate in Ghana calls for intense efforts to reduce the rate drastically.

Adult HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country was recently pegged at 1.69 per cent, according to a 2018 national estimates and projections records.

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), which conducted the research, said the Ahafo Region recorded the highest prevalence of 2.66 per cent, with the North East Region recording the lowest prevalence of 0.39 per cent.

The data generated showed that an estimated 334,713 people were living with HIV (PLWHIV), and that out of the figure, 117,199, that is 35 per cent, were males and 217,514, or 65 per cent, were females.

Adults 15 years and above were 305,199, representing 91 per cent, and children aged zero to 14 years were 29,514 or nine per cent.

The estimated number of new infections in 2018 was 19,931, of which 7,663 were males and 12,258 females.

Of the figure, 5,532 (or 28 per cent) were aged between 15 and 24 years.

Adults in new infection for 2018 were 83 per cent or 16,614, with children being 3,317 or 17 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Mr. Tetteh Quao Tei said they will continue to raise awareness and help to reduce the figure.

Source: Rashid Obodai Provencal||rainbowradioonline.com