The Ghana AIDS Commission is blaming the Covid-19 pandemic for the resurgence of HIV in the Eastern Region and parts of the country.
According to the commission, attention and resources were shifted to the campaign against Covid-19 to the detriment of the HIV campaign.
The vacuum of awareness over the period from 2020 made people forget that the existence of HIV hence engaged in risky sexual activities.
The Acting Eastern Regional Technical Coordinator of the Technical Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah said this in an interview with Abena Opomua Ahwenee on Dadi 101.1 FM.
An estimated two-thousand 2,128 new HIV infections have been recorded in the Eastern region, according to the commission.
The shocking situation has been largely attributed to unprotected sexual intercourse involving young men and women in the region.
As it stands, People living with HIV in Eastern Region are 47,8166, but surprisingly, only 30,538 are accessing the antiretroviral drugs.
The Acting Eastern Regional Technical Coordinator of the Technical Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah bemoaned that this significant number of people tested positive but refused to access the antiretroviral drugs for management of the virus possess a great threat to fight against the virus.
This he says is dangerous and could lead to further spread as such people may be having unprotected sexual activities with other people.
Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah revealed this troubling situation during the inauguration of the Upper Manya Krobo District HIV/AIDS Advocacy Committee at Asesewa.
The nine-member committee is chaired by the District Chief Executive, Joe Sam.
The nine-member committee is chaired by the District Chief Executive, Joe Sam with Shirley Tiah, the District HIV Focal Person as the secretary. Other members of the committee are Emmanuel Nuetey Siakwa, Abraham Martey, Abass Jubilila, and Lansah Asumah. The rest are Theophilus Agbodjadh, Rev. Devine Nartey and Mrs. Grace Adza – Awude
The committee is expected to provide advocacy for HIV and AIDS prevention and control and facilitate coordination among stakeholders.
As of last year, people living with HIV in the Upper Manya Krobo district were two thousand and eighty-one (2081) with 87 new infections.
The acting Eastern Regional Technical Coordinator of the Technical Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah urged the committee to leverage all available resources and mediums to engage local information centers to help disseminate information on HIV and AIDS regularly to educate the populace on the disease.
He said the committee should also ensure that Alert Clubs in schools are revamped and advocacy meetings with the local council of churches and traditional authorities are intensified.
He also tasked the committee to follow up on persons who test positive for HIV and encourage them to take the antiretroviral drugs.
The Chairman of the Committee, Joe Sam who is also the DCE for the area said the formation of the committee is timely and critical following the insurgence of HIV amidst an increase in sexual activities among the youth.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
