By Muyid Deen Suleman
Asokore-Mampong (Ash), Nov 11, GNA – Health authorities in the Asokore-Mampong Municipality, have raised an alarm over the high rate of HIV infections in the area.
They have therefore, emphasized the need for urgent action by all stakeholders to control the spread of the disease in order not to get it out of control.
In 2022, the Municipality witnessed a rise in HIV prevalence from 1.46 percent to 1.61 in 2023, indicating an increase of 0.15 percent of reported cases.
Reverend Solomon Anum-Doko, the Municipal Director of Health Services told the Ghana News Agency that data obtained from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate revealed that the 2023 HIV estimates and projections for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the municipality stood at 2,262.
These are made up of 749 males, 1,406 females, and 107 children, who have been infected with the virus.
A total of 144 new infections, made up of 46 males, 88 females and 10 children were recorded in 2023.
Rev. Anum-Doko, pointed out that the escalating rate of reported cases, needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders, particularly the youth, to spearhead the advocacy for abstinence, monogamy, condom use, and regular visits to the HIV testing unit in the Municipality to check their health status.
He attributed the surge in HIV cases to unprotected sexual intercourse among the people, citing that approximately 70-80 per cent of cases result from sexual activity, while other modes of transmission were relatively smaller.
He warned against stigmatization of the disease and said the availability of HIV/AIDs medication made it possible for people with the disease to go to the hospital early to check their status and help reduce the spread.
GNA