Most people contracting HIV/AIDS out of negligence – AIDS Commission 

By: Akua Birago Manu Bempah

The Ghana AIDS Commission in Ashanti Region has revealed that most people are contracting the HIV virus infection out of negligence and lack of will to protect themselves from the deadly disease.

According to the Commission, the lack of self-awareness and personal responsibility to use protection during intimacy and intercourse accounts for the high rise in the recorded cases in the country, especially, Ashanti region.

Mr. James Appiah Ankrah, the Ashanti Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Ghana AIDS commission speaking in an exclusive interview on Kumasi-based Angel FM intimated “Many people are contracting the virus and passing it on to their unborn babies. Pregnant women for instance, many refuse to check their status during such stages for early detection and protection if any.

Again, even after people have tested positive for the virus, they still dispute that fact.”

Mr. Appiah further explained that persons living with the virus and those knowing their status refuse to go for their antiretroviral drugs from the various hospitals for fear of stigmatization.

“I want to admonish my colleague citizens that we should as a lifestyle check on our HIV status periodically. This will go a long way in our health’s sustainability.

We should also desist from having multiple sexual partners and if we can’t help it, let us stick to the use of protections.” Mr. Appiah noted.

In a recent report by the Ghana AIDS commission, a total of 72,429 people in the Ashanti Region are estimated to be living with HIV.

Out of this number, only 26,006 are currently on Anti-Retroviral (ARV) medication at health facilities, leaving a gap of 46,421 who cannot be accounted for in terms of antiretroviral uptake.

These individuals are either unaware of their status or have defaulted on ARV treatment.