The Ghana AIDS Commission has revealed that Christians constitute about 80 per cent of Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Ghana.
Officials attribute the trend to less active social mobilisation and community participation in the campaign on risk behaviours.
Speaking at an event in to mark World Aids Day at Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, Technical Coordinator for Ghana AIDS Commission, Olivia Graham, said the Commission was strengthening partnership with churches for increased awareness, voluntary testing and anti-retroviral use.
This year’s World Aids Day held in Ashanti Region was on the theme, “Communities make a Difference; Help End AIDS.”
The region has the highest prevalence rate in Ghana, despite a recent dip in the figures.
Ghana AIDS Commission and its technical agencies say they are ensuring the standard model of care is used across all health facilities.
The Commission also has a target to expand preventive, treatment and other care services accessible at a faster pace in its bid not to leave anyone behind.
Coordinator for Ghana Health Service for HIV/AIDS, Dr Agyarko Poku, believes the church plays a critical role in transforming the behaviours of persons in society.
He wants pastors and men of God to be engaged. Officials of Ghana AIDS Commission also revealed that Ghana’s working population is being lost to HIV and its related illnesses.
Available statistics show that average productivity loss to HIV and its related ill health is about five days a month.
Stakeholders are worried because 170,000 adults diagnosed to be positive are not on Anti-Retroviral Therapy as well as 50 per cent of persons living with HIV are also not on Anti-Retroviral Therapy.
Source:Fiilafmonline/JoyNews
