By Emmanuel Nyatsikor
Gemini (V/R), July 25, GNA – Madam Mary Naa Ashley Anyomi, the Volta Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has stated that the annual HIV estimates process remained one of the most important tools for understanding the epidemic and guiding an effective national response.
She said the evidence generated provided the foundation for strategic planning, resource allocation, Programme prioritisation and accountability at both national and sub-national levels.
Madam Anyomi stated this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a community engagement by GOSANET Foundation at Dzemeni in the South Dayi district.
“The estimates are not just numbers, they represent people, families and lives.
“They tell us where progress is being made, where inequities persist and where interventions must be intensified,” she noted.
The Technical Coordinator continued that they also provided evidence needed to ensure that resources were directed to the populations and locations with the greatest need.
She stated that at the same time the estimates reminded that sustained efforts were required to close remaining gaps, reduce new infections, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and ensured equitable access to quality services for all populations.
Mad Anyomi disclosed that 70 out of every 100 persons living with HIV in the region were females and similarly, 60 out of every 100 new infections recorded were also females.
She stated that Ho, Hohoe, Ketu South, North Tongu, South Tongu, Ketu North, Akatsi South, Central Tongu, Keta, Kpando and South Dayi districts, contributed 84.5 per cent of the total of people living with the disease in the region.
Madam Anyomi also said, Ho, Hohoe, Ketu South, South Tongu, Ketu North, Central Tongu and Keta districts contributed 66.1 per cent to the total number of new infections in the region.
She intimated that nine districts in the region had a higher HIV prevalence rate than the regional (1.41%) and national (1.40%).
The Technical Coordinator mentioned them respectively as South Tongu – 1.44, Central Tongu – 1.48, Hohoe and Ketu South – 1.56 and Ho – 1.65 per cent.
The others were North Tongu – 1.84, South Dayi – 1.85, Keta and Kpando – 1.86 per cent.
Madam Anyomi stated that five districts also had a prevalence rate of less than one per cent in the region and these were Adaklu, Afadjato South, Akatsi North, Anloga and Ho West.
She said the Ho and Kpando districts had the highest anti-retroviral therapy (ART) coverage of 74 and 75.1 per cent respectively for all ages, whilst Agotime Ziope had the least ART coverage of 28 per cent for all ages in the region.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo