AIDS Commission Charge With Clear Mandate To End AIDS by 2030

The Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has inaugurated a nine-member Regional Committee to provide oversight and coordination of the decentralised HIV response.

The inauguration is in accordance with Section 9, of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act938).

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and weakens it, while acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) occurs at the most advanced stage of the infection.

At the inaugural ceremony at Koforidua, Mr Yaw Adu-Asamoah, the Chief Director of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, said as members of the Regional Committee, they shall perform the functions of the Ghana AIDS Commission in the region, playing the role as the GAC Governing Board may direct in writing.

“However, you shall be responsible for regulating the procedure for your meetings,” he said.

Mr Adu-Asamoah indicated that, “with hard work and commitment, we could achieve the goals we set for ourselves, prominent among these goals being the ambitious 95-95-95 fast track targets which we are to achieve by 2030.”

He explained that by the set date, 95 per cent of all people infected with HIV should know their status, and 95 per cent of all the people diagnosed with HIV would receive sustained Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), which 95 per cent of people receiving ARTs would have viral suppression.

Mr Adu-Asamoah said achieving the targets was necessary to position the nation favourably towards ending AIDS by 2030 in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said the government was working assiduously to establish the national HIV and AIDS fund to ensure that our national response is financially self-reliant.

“This is the only way we can sustain and advance our national response amid dwindling donor support,” he said.

In another development, a regional HIV stakeholders forum was held to engage key actors in a dialogue, and align strategies to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care outcomes at the regional level.

A presentation on the 2024 National and Sub-national HIV Estimate and Projections were given.

Madam Rita Afriyie, the Acting Technical Coordinator of the Technical Support Unit, Ghana AIDS Commission, disseminated the Eastern Regional report and said the HIV population (All ages) recorded a total number of 17,155 in 10 districts, and the New HIV infections (All ages) recorded 845 cases in 10 different districts.

Striking percentages on Adult HIV prevalence (15-49 years) in the districts, she said the Lower-Manya Krobo had 4.65 per cent, Yilo-Krobo recorded 4.50 per cent, New Juaben South, 3.4 per cent, Upper Manya-Krobo, 3.28 per cent, Asugyaman 2.77 per cent, Okere recorded 1.06 per cent, Ayensuano, 0.94 per cent, Kwahu East, 0.86 per cent, Akyemansa, 0.8 per cent, and Achiase 0.61 per cent.

Based on the report, Madam Afriyie said the estimated reduction in HIV prevalence, new infections, and AIDS-related deaths was a positive development that could be attributed to the increased uptake of ART services.

It was recommended that there should be increased awareness, testing, and access to treatment to sustain efforts at eliminating HIV and AIDS, as well as to ensure the country achieved epidemic control.

There must also be continuous and intensify education on the 95-95-95 target by the year 2030.

Source: GNA