Tema, May 29, GNA – The National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) has said it’s collaborating with other stakeholders toward reducing some inequalities impeding the achievement of some targets in the reduction of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Dr Stephen Ayisi-Addo, Programme Manager of NACP said by reducing such inequalities, Ghana could close the gaps for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support by the year 2025 and put the world back on course to end AIDS by 2030.
Dr Ayisi-Addo was speaking at the 13th edition of the Stakeholders Engagement and Workers Appreciation Day Seminar of the Tema Regional Office of the Ghana News Agency.
The GNA Tema Stakeholder Engagement is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues and serves as a motivational mechanism to recognize the editorial contribution of reporters toward national development in general and the growth and promotion of the Tema GNA as the industrial news hub.
The engagement also saw Ms Fatimata Mahami, Tema Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) presenting on the topic; “The fight against corruption in Ghana, a mirage or reality; the Perspective of CHRAJ”.
Speaking on the topic: “Ghana’s HIV strategies in line with the global health strategy for HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis; An integrated approach to prevention,” Dr Ayisi-Addo said removing the inequalities would ensure respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights in the HIV response.
He said the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 had built on the historic achievements of the HIV response and acknowledged the most pressing challenges and opportunities, in addition to recognizing that key shifts were needed if the world was to end AIDS.
The Strategy he indicated placed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that related to the reduction of inequalities at the heart of its approach to guide and drive action in every country and community.
He added that it outlined a comprehensive framework for transformative actions to confront the inequalities and, more broadly, respect, protect and fulfil human rights in the HIV response.
By reducing the inequalities driving the AIDS epidemic, we could close the gaps in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support by 2025 and put the world back on course to end AIDS by 2030.
Dr Ayisi-Addo noted that the priority of the strategy included maximizing equitable and equal access to HIV services and solutions; and breaking down barriers to achieving HIV outcomes.
The rest are removing societal and legal impediments to an effective HIV response; as well as fully resource and sustaining efficient HIV responses and integrating them into systems for health, social protection, humanitarian settings and pandemic responses.
It was expected that if the targets and commitments in the Strategy were achieved, the number of people who newly acquired HIV would decrease from the 2019 figures of 1.7 million to less than 370,000 by 2025, and the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses would decrease from 690,000 in 2019 to less than 250,000 by 2025.
Mr Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager has entreated journalists to upscale reportage by focusing on the various health centres for information to highlight the several social issues affecting humankind.
He said, “media holds the keys to serve as an early warning mechanism and provide the needed health alert to both policymakers and the citizens for the necessary intervention.
“There are lots of information at the clinics, polyclinics, Hospitals, the Regional and District health Directors, Ghanaians need education on healthy lifestyle from professionals.”
Journalists must develop an interest in health news, you can develop a profession in medical journalism and it is big because there are a lot of things to cover,” Mr Ameyibor stated and called on stakeholders in the health sector to open their doors to the media.
Source: Ghana News Agency
