Ghana AIDS Commission Urges End to Stigma Surrounding HIV/AIDSGhana AIDS Commission Urges End to Stigma Surrounding HIV/AIDS On July 9, 2024, the Ghana AIDS Commission issued a plea to end the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. High levels of stigma have hindered efforts to combat the virus’s spread, according to the Commission. The fear of stigmatization prevents many individuals from being tested, allowing the virus to spread undetected. Olivia Graham, the Commission’s technical coordinator in the Ashanti region, emphasized the need to eliminate the fear associated with contact with HIV/AIDS patients. She underscored that the virus is not transmitted through social interactions, eating, or conversing with infected individuals. Ms. Graham urged the public to provide support and acceptance to those living with HIV/AIDS. “Ending stigma will enhance testing, treatment, and support for those affected, ultimately reducing the spread of the virus in Ghana,” she said. The Commission believes that by eradicating stigma, it can increase the number of people who are tested, treated, and supported, leading to a reduction in virus transmission throughout the country.
Regional news from Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Source: otecfmghana.com
2024-07-09
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The Ghana AIDS Commission stresses the need to end the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS patients. It emphasizes that high stigma hampers efforts to combat the spread of the virus.
According to the Commission, fear of stigmatisation prevents many people from getting tested for the virus, allowing people to unknowingly spread the virus.
In an interview with Kwame Agyenim Boateng, a reporter at OTEC News, Olivia Graham, technical coordinator for the commission in the Ashanti region, stressed the importance of embracing HIV patients and removing the fear that contact with them could lead to infection.
She encouraged the audience to support and accept people with HIV/AIDS, stressing that the virus is not transmitted through social interaction, eating and talking with them.
“By ending the stigma, the Commission hopes to increase testing, treatment and support for those affected, ultimately helping to reduce the spread of the virus in Ghana,” she said.
