HIV infections are increasing in the Tano North Municipality of the
Brong-Ahafo Region, report from the St. John of God Hospital, the largest
health facility in the municipality has revealed.
Statistics shows that the municipality recorded
184 percent increase in HIV infections in 2018, Eva Aryee, the Tano North
Municipal Director of Health, said.
Speaking at the 2018 annual performance review meeting at Duayaw-Nkwanta
on the theme: ‘attaining universal health coverage through effective leadership
and governance’, Mrs. Aryee advised the people to guard against unprotected sex
to minimise the spread of the disease.
The review meeting provided a platform to
discuss the progress made, the challenges and the way forward to enhance the
quality of healthcare delivery in the area.
She expressed her worry at the rapid spread of HIV, and called for
concerted efforts for intensified HIV/AIDS education in the municipality.
That notwithstanding, she said the municipality
made some successes, as immunisation against yellow fever and measles achieved
95 percent coverage, while the distribution of long-lasting mosquito treated
nets was also successful.
Mrs. Aryee mentioned lack of vehicles and motorbikes as some major challenges facing the directorate, and appealed for support.
She pointed out that due to the lack of transport, it was becoming extremely difficult for health workers to carry out health outreach programmes in hard-to-reach communities.
The Tano North Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Ernest Kwarteng, commended the health directorate for the deepened collaboration with other key stakeholders in the municipality, and hoped that civil society actors in the area would help to provide quality healthcare services to the people.
Dr. Kofi Issah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, advised health workers and staff of the directorate to work in accordance with the core values of the service.
GNA