The 2022 report from the Ghana AIDS Commission has revealed that a total of 72,429 people in the Ashanti Region are estimated to be living with HIV.
According to the report, 26,006 out of the total number are currently Anti-Retroviral (ARV) medication at health facilities, leaving a gap of 46,421 who cannot be accounted for in terms of antiretroviral uptake. These individuals are either unaware of their status or have defaulted on ARV treatment.
In an interview with Ghana News Agency, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Focal Person for HIV/AIDS, Dennis Bandoh, said during the end of the third quarter of 2023, the region recorded 4,618 new cases equivalent to 2.1% increase last year. year.
He disclosed that a total of 62,835 pregnant women had been tested under the Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) category with testing positive. Additionally, 3,937 people tested positive out of 51,940 screened under the HIV testing services category.
“Some males believe that once their pregnant wives or partners test negative, they are automatically negative. He explained that there were cases where sexual partners had different statuses without knowing, emphasizing the importance of testing regardless of their partners’ status,” he added.
Mr. Bandoh highlighted that early initiation of treatment can halt the progression of the virus to the AIDS stage, urging individuals who test positive to seek treatment at health facilities.
He commended the Ghana Health Service for their innovative measures and strategies put in place which includes index texting, where people who have tested positive are encouraged to send their close family and sexual partners for testing.
