Hector Succila Perez(L). (N), Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene Dr. Holger Till (2R) in a group photograph
The Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to eliminating the HIV/AIDS virus as a public health hazard by 2030.
He made this claim in reference to the United Nations Member States’ commitment, of which Ghana is a significant part, to pursue an ambitious plan to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Dr. Atuahene told the media that the country has the capacity to end HIV/AIDS, including life-saving treatment and rapid response roles to HIV, which is in line with achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 3, good health and well-being, which contributes to a reduction in AIDS-related deaths.
He blamed the country’s tardy progress in eradicating the virus by the 2023 deadline on a lack of discipline in adhering to the general principles of avoiding unprotected sex and having several sexual partners.
“We have the tools as a country to end the HIV/AIDS virus by 2030 but what we do not have is the discipline of every individual Ghanaian to ensure protection against HIV infections,” he said.
According to Dr. Atuahene, the country’s HIV response is underfunded. “We as a commission have decided to embark on an active resource mobilization exercise to develop a five-year resource mobilization strategy to create the platform for every Ghanaian to contribute towards the fund.”
He also urged industries, with a particular emphasis on mining companies, to donate to the HIV mobilization fund in order to improve treatment, as mining districts account for the majority of new infection cases recorded in the country.
“If the government is providing free testing, free treatment among other things to employees then industries must find a way of contributing to the fund otherwise if we allow every individual to pay for the services that cost will fall on the private sector that employs those people so we need to work together as a team.” he added.
Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene made the statement at the annual World AIDS Day for the youth commemoration event last Saturday in Accra.
Co-founder of Verified Health, Alexander Quaisie who addressed participants under the theme, “Let Communities Lead” recognized the invaluable role played by each community member in the fight against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
He said Verified Health has worked tirelessly to make sexual reproductive health solutions affordable and accessible, adding, “This year, we surpassed 12 thousand STI tests provided for our cherished patrons. I am also happy to announce on this occasion that 100% of all those we enrolled in Antiretroviral therapy last year have now reached viral suppression and are undetectable.
Mr. Quaisie called on stakeholders to forge a path that will intensify the fight against HIV.
Present at the event was Team Lead, GIZ Ghana Health Team, Dr. Holger Till, Country Director of UNAIDS Ghana, Hector Succila Perez.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke