HIV Prevalence Rate In Eastern Region Has Declined

The Regional Dissemination of the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP) 2016 – 2020 in Eastern Region took place at Capital View Hotel in Koforidua today.

According Ms. Golda Asante, the Eastern Regional technical coordinator Eastern Region has the highest gradient of decline, now…there is a game change. Now Eastern Region and Ashanti Region are ranked second on the National Prevalence Rate, whiles Greater Accra has the highest  Prevalence rate.

Ghana has recorded a total of about 11,000 HIV AIDS deaths with 12,635 new HIV infections in 2015, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has stated.

According to the Commission, there are 274,562 persons living with HIV in the country, out of which 89,113 are on Anti Retroviral (ART) drug.

The number represents only 32.4 percent of all persons living with HIV who are on ARTs treatment as at the end of 2015.

This was disclosed at the 2017 Regional Dissemination of the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP) themed, “NSP 2016-2020: Sustainable Partnership and Resource Mobilization Towards Achieving 90-90-90.”

The event provided opportunity for stakeholders to deliberate on the progress made and challenges faced in the national HIV and AIDS response to make recommendations for the ensuing year and garner funding and technical support for priorities that are identified.

Ms. Golda Asante, the Eastern Regional technical coordinator said, indications show that Ghana is committed towards achieving the long term goal to end AIDS by 2030. To achieve this, she indicated that the 2020 targets of 90 per cent of all persons living with HIV knowing their status; 90 per cent of people who know their status receiving effective sustained treatment and 90 percent living with HIV on treatment achieving viral suppression must be fast tracked.

Ms. Golda Asante however, noted that there’s a critical need to forge strategic partnerships, to join efforts and resources for results, “especially if we are to propel Ghana’s HIV response to model status once again and provide treatment for all”, she said. And she congratulate Easter Region for fighting hard against HIV.

The Eastern Regional technical coordinator also claimed that the Commission had prioritized mobilizing resources locally to sustain funding for HIV response.

“We will find more cost-effective ways to operate; but I assure you, we will not compromise on quality for the sake of making savings,” she assured.

Eastern Regional Minister and MP for Nkawkaw West, Hon. Eric Kwakye Dafour said  despite the improvement and all the education we still have the record of HIV added every year.

“People are still engaging in sexual intercourse without protection. Let’s support the people who are affected with the HIV virus”, he lamented.

According to the Regional Minister, the prevalence rate in the Region had reduced since last year, saying although the figure was higher than the national prevalence rate  however, it required concerted efforts from all well-meaning Ghanaian to curb the menace.

Hon. Eric Kwakye Darfour said this in a speech he delivered at Regional Dissemination of the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP) 2016 – 2020 in Eastern Region which took place at Capital View Hotel in Koforidua today.

source:radiooneghana/Agyapong Michael