Over 100,000 people in Ghana are living with and spreading the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) unknowingly. This accounts for approximately 28% of the country’s HIV-positive population.
According to Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, this situation poses a significant risk to the fight to combat the spread of the virus.
“More than 28% of people living with HIV still do not know their HIV status because they have not tested. That represents about 100,000 people. They are spreading it unknowingly and that is not the best,” he said, per a report by myjoyonline.com.
To address this concerning issue, Dr Atuahene urged all citizens to prioritize knowing their HIV status. He highlighted that early detection can significantly improve the success rates of HIV treatment, as it allows for timely intervention to boost the immune system and support the body.
“If you wait till you get AIDS before you go to the hospital, it will take a much longer time for you to recover in terms of boosting your immune system for it to regenerate and support your body, it takes a longer time,” he added.
In response to the situation, the Ghana AIDS Commission has launched an aggressive search campaign to locate these over 100,000 individuals who remain unaware of their HIV status. The aim is to identify them and provide appropriate treatment to prevent further transmission of the virus.
“There are people who are under-served when it comes to HIV services. Some are hard to reach and they may not have the opportunity to get any of the services so bringing the services to their doorstep will enable those who fear to know their status to at least start the process by testing to see whether they are reactive or not,” he added.
To enhance accessibility to HIV services, the Commission recently launched the HIV self-test campaign in the country. This initiative seeks to reach under-served individuals and make testing more convenient by bringing services directly to their doorstep.
Dr Atuahene stressed that it is essential to remove barriers to HIV testing and treatment to curb the spread of the virus effectively. By identifying and treating these individuals, the Commission hopes to mitigate the impact of HIV on public health in Ghana.
