Ghana Launches National HIV Self-Test programme
Ghana Launches National HIV Self-Test programme
Ghana Launches National HIV Self-Test programme
Ghana Launch National HIV Self-Test programme today to expand access to crucial HIV status and also reduce stigma among Ghanaians.
This seeks to make it easier and more convenient for people to get tested for HIV. HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) is one of the newest innovations in the range of strategies aimed at encouraging persons to know their HIV status.
Around the world, it is estimated that only about 70 percent of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are aware of their status. This has become a major hindrance in the global strategy towards ending AIDS by 2030.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Health Hon. Kwaku Agyemang Manu noted that, his ministry will continue to engage key stakeholders to ensure regular availability of drugs to help combat HIV Aids in the country.
The Dormaa-Central legislature said 71% of 350,000 Ghanaians living with HIV in the country, know their status.
He therefore urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the self testing programme and get tested.
According to him,the self testing programme aims the expand access to crucial HIV status and also reduce stigma among Ghanaians. The Director General of the Ghana Aids Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene said the HIV Self testing is an additional innovativeto solutions address the gap in HIV testing.
According to him, the self testing provide an opportunity to reach key population who face challenges in getting healthcare. He added that HIV is still a major threat in Ghana by averaging 16,400 annually in Ghana,which is crucial to the commission.
Already, some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, among others, have rolled out HIVST initiatives.
is therefore unsurprising that, on the average, more than 10,000 Ghanaians die every year, with complications linked to HIV and AIDS.
Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun
