Ghana is unlikely to achieve the 90-90-90 target of drastically reducing the spread of HIV by 2020.
According to the Ghana AIDS Commission this is due to the fact that more than half of people living with HIV in Ghana are not on anti-retroviral drugs.
The number runs into more than 170 thousand adults living with the HIV virus who are not on anti-retroviral treatment.
Per the 90-90-90 target initiated by the UNAIDS, by 2020, 90% of all persons living with HIV are to know their HIV status, 90% of all persons diagnosed with HIV are to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of all persons receiving antiretroviral therapy are to have viral suppression.
Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 2019 World AIDS Day Acting Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Kyeremeh Atuahene asked churches to take the lead in achieving the 90-90-90 target as Christians make up 80 percent of all persons living with HIV.
In the last decade Ghana has made significant strides in the fight against the HIV pandemic.
According to the 2018 National estimates report Ghana sustained a low HIV prevalence which currently stands at one-point- seven percent and also reduced new infections by 22 percent in the last nine years.
The country also introduced a number of policies and strategies aimed at increasing access to HIV and AIDS services throughout the country. One of such is the 90-90-90 target which is supposed to be achieved next year.
However with just a few months to go, the AIDS Commission says the country looks likely to miss it.
The acting Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission a good number of people who have tested positive have refused to be put on anti-retroviral therapy.
THE Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei Opare in a message of behalf of President Akufo Addo said government said government recognizes the challenges impeding the achievement of the 90-90-90 target and is working to ensure that the current parliament passes the LI to operationalize the national HIV and AIDS fund.
This year’s Worls AIDS Day focused on ensuring that members of communities take ownership of HIV and AIDS advocacy and activities. Communities such as professional and religious bodies, traditional authorities ,NGO’s, the private sector and other identifiable groups were asked to partner the AIDS Commission to mobilize people to test for HIV in order to access and adhere to anti- retroviral treatment
Story filed by Doreen Ampofo
