It’s been 20 years since Ghana first introduced the use of antiretroviral therapy in the care for persons living with HIV to transform care, reduce morbidity and mortality to improve the lives of persons living with HIV.
Ghana diagnosed its first AIDS case in March 1986 and since then, the country has experienced a generalized HIV epidemic with a current prevalence of 1.7.
Before then, care for persons living with HIV focused mainly on managing opportunistic infections and providing psychological support.
From an initial cohort of 100 PLHIV initiated on the ART in 2003, there are currently 254,753 of them on treatment.
At a media launch in Accra, it was revealed that currently there are attempts by the country through the Ghana Aids Commission to produce the ART in-country to surmount the challenge of shortage, acknowledging the importance of the ART in the lives of PLHIV.
Giving the keynote address, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, emphasized the importance of preventive efforts towards an AIDS free generation.
The UNAid in its solidarity message, entreated government to increase awareness creation on the disease.
The CSOs of AIDS GHANET on their part, are reiterating advocacy for more commitment to funding treatment of HIV treatment from government.
A number of events, including a legacy project, have been outlined in the year.
