Alarming Surge: Ghana Records 34,000 New HIV Cases in Just Nine Months of 2024
The Ghana AIDS Commission under the Ghana Health Service has estimated new HIV infections from January up to September 2024 at over 34,000. Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programme Manager, training overdose indicated that mass public testing and screening was important since about 1.3million people were tested during this period. “In the period January to the third quarter, we tested 34,000 individuals for HIV and 3,400 of them tested positive,” Dr. Ayisi said. These comments, the President made, when he recently launched the event of the World AIDS Day 2024 organized by the Ghana AIDS Commission.
Other activities that were performed in the event were the candle light night to honor those that have succumbed to the effect of AIDS. World AIDS Day, which is celebrated every 1st of December, is a reminder to countries to intensify efforts to prevent new HIV infections and improve the management of people living with the disease. The topic for the World AIDS Day 2024, “Take the Right Path,” is to protect each other.
Speaking at the launch of the 2021 Stop Stockout for Mothers, Doctors, and Babies Campaign, Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh, Director General of Ghana AIDS Commission promised that the Commission will continue to engage with all the stakeholders to end AIDS by 2030. He spoke of testing and treatment and urged the public to seek effective methods of suppression of the virus through free treatment. In messages for World AIDS Day, the Ghana AIDS Commission has laid down the following activities as follows; a major event will be held on 2nd December 2024 in Accra with the participation of the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, UNAIDS and the National Association of People Living with AIDS (NAP+), among other stakeholders.
The doctor noted worry over the high infection numbers in 2024, which he said, sexually active persons must protect themselves by practicing right use of condoms to HIV/STIs, the more, especially as Ghana is aiming at ending HIV epidemic by 2030. Dr. Ayisi said that it is safer to remain faithful to one’s partner in order to avoid contracting the HIV virus, and for those who are unable or unwilling to exercise such restraint should avoid the acts that lead to new infections. He also pointed out that since people with HIV exist, they should be treated equally hence should not continue spreading the disease.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh, the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission said the commission will continue to partner with all stakeholders towards the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. He stressed on case detection and management of individuals infected with the virus, suggested that communities should embrace free efficient services available to manage the virus.
The Ghana Aids Commission also declared a set of activities marking the WORLD AIDS DAY; a grand Durba slated for 2nd December 2024 at Accra. Partners including the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, UNAIDS, and the National Association of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+) and all other stakeholders will be well represented at this event. All the participants at the event supported the commission’s intentions towards meeting the 2030 HIV elimination goal.
