By Caleb Kuleke, GNA
Ho, July 9, GNA- The Ghana Aids Commission (GAC) has emphasised that HIV testing should always be conducted in accordance with national guidelines, including informed consent, confidentiality, and appropriate counselling.
The Commission said the individuals with reactive screening results should also receive professional counselling and be supported to complete the confirmatory testing process and, where necessary, be linked to treatment and care services.
The Commission said this in a press statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in reaction to media reports regarding comments made on HIV test results during the recent security services recruitment exercise.
“The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), as the statutory body responsible for providing strategic leadership and coordination of Ghana’s HIV response, has taken note of media reports regarding comments made on HIV test results during the recent security services recruitment exercise.”
The statement said the Commission recognised that public communication on HIV, if not carefully framed, might unintentionally reinforce stigma and discourage individuals from accessing HIV testing and treatment services.
It said the country has made significant progress in expanding access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, and sustaining these gains required creating an environment in which people feel confident to know their status without fear of discrimination.
“The Commission considers it important to provide clarification on HIV testing protocols and public communication to ensure that discussions on HIV remain scientifically accurate, protect human rights, and support national efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination.”
The statement noted that in employment and other areas of public life HIV status alone should not constitute grounds for denying employment or otherwise limiting an individual’s opportunities.
It added that medical fitness for specific occupations should be determined in accordance with established medical and occupational standards and not on the basis of stigma or misconceptions about HIV.
“The Commission recognises the importance of medical screening in recruitment processes and appreciates the efforts of the security services to safeguard the health of their personnel.
At the same time, the Commission wishes to provide important public health clarification to ensure that discussions on HIV remain accurate, evidence-based and respectful of the rights and dignity of all persons.”
The statement noted that the reported figure of approximately 1,300 reactive HIV test results out of about 100,000 applicants represented approximately 1.3 percent of those screened and “this is broadly consistent with Ghana’s estimated national HIV prevalence of 1.49 percent among adults at the end of 2024.”
It added that the reported figures should therefore not be interpreted as unusual or indicative of an emerging public health concern, noting that under the national HIV testing guidelines, a single reactive HIV test result does not constitute a confirmed HIV diagnosis.
“An initial reactive result is preliminary and must be followed by the nationally approved three-test serial testing algorithms before an individual’s HIV status can be confirmed. It is therefore important that public communication accurately distinguishes between an initial reactive screening result and a confirmed HIV-positive diagnosis.”
The statement said the Commission remained committed to working with all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that HIV testing, counselling and public communication are guided by scientific evidence, national policy and respect for human rights.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade