By Regina Atule
Damongo (S/R), May 14, GNA – The Ghana AIDS Commission in collaboration with the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council has held a stakeholder engagement to strengthen regional efforts in response to national HIV and AIDS.
It was also to foster collaboration and collective action to address the disease’s impact in the region.
Participants included religious leaders, partners from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, civil society organisations and persons living with HIV and AIDS in the region.
Dr Prosper Akanbong, Acting Director-General, Ghana AIDS Commission, speaking during the event at Damongo, highlighted the current state of HIV and AIDS in the country and expressed concern over the growing trend of the virus, especially amongst the youth.
He said plans were well advanced to include HIV and AIDS services in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He recommended the reintroduction of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy to address AIDS-related issues in a professional environment.
Mr Salisu Be-awuribe, Savannah Regional Minister, said the lack of funding for HIV activities, increase in mining activities in the region, stigma, lost to follow up, lack of Regional Committee and office of the Ghana AIDS Commission in the region amongst others were challenges that could lead to increase in new infections.
He appealed to stakeholders to re-strategise and mobilise resources from the private sector and leverage other government programmes to implement HIV interventions and responses.
GNA
EA/CA