Health authorities in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region have expressed concern over a growing number of pregnant women testing positive for HIV, describing the situation as alarming and unacceptable.
Between January and October 2025, a total of 30 pregnant women tested HIV positive out of 1,571 screened in the district, representing a prevalence rate of 1.9 per cent.
The figures were disclosed by the District Director of Health Services, Mr. Francis Kwoutua Apungu, during activities to mark World AIDS Day 2025 at Kyekyewere.
“In simple terms, when you test about 100 pregnant women, you are likely to get two who will test positive. This is unacceptably high,” Mr. Apungu stated.
He further revealed that within the same period, 1,339 people from the general population—comprising both males and females—were tested across various health facilities in the district. Out of this number, 46 individuals tested positive, including 13 males and 33 females, representing a positivity rate of 3.4 per cent.
“When you test about 100 people, you are likely to get three to four positive cases,” he explained.
In all, the district recorded 76 HIV-positive cases out of 2,910 people tested within the ten-month period. Currently, about 628 people are living with HIV in the Ayensuano District, but only approximately 250 of them are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Mr. Apungu noted that the World AIDS Day 2025 theme, “Overcoming Disruptions, Transforming the AIDS Response,” underscores the need to rebuild stronger and more resilient health systems amid challenges such as funding gaps and service interruptions.
“The theme calls on all of us to transform our response by strengthening community engagement, supporting people living with HIV, and ensuring uninterrupted services such as testing and treatment,” he said.
While acknowledging some progress made in the district’s HIV response, he stressed the need to intensify efforts to reduce prevalence, address stigma and discrimination, and improve testing, treatment and adherence.
The District Health Directorate, Mr. Apungu said, remains committed to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by expanding free and confidential HIV testing, ensuring a continuous supply of antiretroviral medicines, providing counselling to promote adherence, strengthening prevention education—especially among the youth—and deepening community education to combat stigma and discrimination.
As part of World AIDS Day activities, the district has embarked on sustained community and school outreach programmes throughout the month to raise awareness about HIV prevention.
Mr. Apungu called on traditional authorities, community members and other stakeholders to support efforts to create an environment where people feel safe and confident to test for HIV.
“We envision a district where no mother transmits HIV to her child, and where everyone living with HIV receives respect, care, support and compassion,” he said, urging residents to recommit to a united and compassionate response to HIV.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Kyekyewere, Barima Okunini Gyebi Ababio, encouraged residents to test regularly for early detection and treatment.
“HIV is no longer as frightening as we used to perceive. I have worked with people living with HIV who have survived for over 30 years because they are on medication. If you test early and go on treatment, you can live long,” he said.
The chief also underscored the need to upgrade a local health facility to polyclinic status in the community to improve access to healthcare services.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
