The Ghana Aids Commission has estimated that there are over 100,000 HIV carriers in Ghana.
The Commission’s General Director, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, claims that HIV carriers are unknowingly infecting others.
“More than 28% of people living with HIV still do not know their HIV status because they have not tested. That represents about 100,000 people. They are spreading it unknowingly, and that is not the best,” he said.
He thinks it’s crucial for everyone to know what their HIV status is. He said this is because it could help the treatment work better.
“If you wait till you get AIDS before you go to the hospital, it will take a much longer time for you to recover in terms of boosting your immune system for it to regenerate and support your body, it takes a longer time,” he said on Joy News
Dr. Atuahene said the Commission has been actively searching for the over 100,000 people who are HIV positive so that they can start receiving treatment.
He said that this is why the HIV self-testing program was started. “There are people who are under-served when it comes to HIV services. Some are hard to reach, and they may not have the opportunity to get any of the services, so bringing the services to their doorstep will enable those who fear to know their status to at least start the process by testing to see whether they are reactive or not.”
