The Programme Manager of the National AIDS/STI Control Programme, Dr Stephen Ayisi Addo, has called for strong political commitment to end Pediatric HIV in West and Central Africa.
Mr Ayisi said, in ending HIV among children, there is the need to pay attention to the data, have continues dialogue, provide funding and build capacity not only in the health system but among state actors.
This, he said, would ensure multisectoral responses in the fight against Pediatric HIV in West and Central Africa including Ghana.
Dr Ayisi made the call at the opening of a three-day regional summit on ending AIDS in children in West and Central Africa.
The meeting, organised by Civil Society Institute for Health in West and Central Africa in collaboration with Ghana HIV and AIDS Network, GHANET, with support from USAID seeks to join efforts between civil society organizations to end AIDS in the region.
It also seeks to empower communities and CSOs with the means to do testing, outreach and contribute in terms of care and support.
According to Dr Ayisi, Ghana’s total HIV population is 354,927, out of the figure 7% are children. He said in as much as fighting to end pediatric HIV is important, there is the need to also focus on the role of caregivers and the family around the child to build their capacities psycho-socially to provide the needed care.
The Executive Director of Health Westand Central Africa, Nguissali Turpin, said the meeting is important as data indicates that 60 per cent of children living with HIV know their status, adding that half of the figure is on Anti-Retroviral Therapy.
She said 65 per cent of new HIV infections is transmitted to the children because their mothers did not receive adequate Anti-Retroviral Therapy treatment.
SOURCE: GNA