The Ghana AIDS Commission will from next year launch a five year strategic programme to minimise and possibly eliminate HIV/AIDS from the country.
Director-General of the Commission, Kyereme Atuahene told GBC’s Radio Ghana that the main focus of the programme is to make 95 percent of HIV patients get 95 percent of treatment readily accessible to them to achieve the elimination of the disease in the country.
Meanwhile, about 20,000 young women and men between the ages of 15 and 24 are said to be infected with new HIV in Ghana.
Despite the rate of infection, there is treatment. The situation has become a public health risk that must be managed.
Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Kyeremeh Atuahene, said a number of HIV/AIDS infected patients are not reporting for treatment due to stigmatisation.
Speaking to GBC’s Radio Ghana, Mr, Atuahene is also worried about alternative drugs being advertised in the Electronic and Print Media.
He said the alarming trend calls for more collaboration and education to encourage affected people to report for treatment.
Mr. Atuahene said the antiretroviral drug is the only treatment and is available at health facilities for patients to access.
Mr. Atuahene said there is a need for Universities and Basic schools to take up the challenge to raise awareness to prevent new infections.