The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) has reported a concerning surge in HIV diagnoses, with nearly 34,000 individuals identified as living with the virus between January and September 2024 during an interview on Joy News.
The announcement, which was made by GHANET President Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, also clarified that these newly diagnosed cases represent individuals who have unknowingly lived with the virus for five to ten years.
“This figure refers to newly diagnosed individuals, not all of whom are new infections,” he explained.
Mr. Ortsin identified multiple factors behind the rising HIV numbers, emphasizing a lack of awareness among the youth and growing complacency in the general population.
Referring to past data from 2023, he added that new infections or cases of individuals contracting the virus for the first time are estimated at 17,740.
“We have a whole new crop of young people who have next to no knowledge about HIV/AIDS. That lack of knowledge is contributing significantly,” he stated. He also noted that the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatments, which can suppress visible symptoms of HIV, has led many to underestimate the virus’s impact. “People are becoming complacent because individuals living with HIV no longer display symptoms such as emaciation, weight loss, or skin rashes as they did in the past.”
Sub-Saharan Africa, which bears the brunt of the global HIV epidemic, accounts for over 70% of worldwide cases. Experts have called for intensified efforts, including education campaigns, increased access to contraceptives, and greater emphasis on early testing and treatment, to curb the virus’s spread.
GHANET and other stakeholders continue to advocate for robust prevention strategies to address the ongoing challenge of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
SOURCE – JOYNEWS
