Director of technical services at the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Fred Nana Poku, has disclosed that the Commission is prepared to intensify HIV testing services in the country.

According to him, owing to the surge in HIV cases, it has become imperative to ensure a rollout of testing is done. He revealed that the ‘Red ribbon month’ of November which is dedicated to show solidarity to people affected by HIV, people living with HIV and those who have lost their live, affords the Commission the opportunity to rethink, re-strategize, look at how best it can continue the fight against the pandemic.

Dr Poku indicated the month of November is a very good and solemn one to engage in such activity. He further noted that the Commission will actively play a role in enhancing media engagements on HIV/AIDS, which is very critical to awareness creation of the virus.

“ As I was talking to a couple of people some days back, they kept saying they don’t hear of HIV in the media. So, we think that it’s high time we really intensify the media activities… We will also intensify HIV testing services in the various facilities. Luckily, we now even have self-testing which comes with a little cost… Currently, we have a few pharmacies and few social marketing organizations that have them. We are looking at how best to roll out to the entire country and into various pharmacies.”
Dr Fred Nana Poku

Among other things, Dr Poku highlighted that the Commission will hold a public lecture which is slated for 26^th of November, to explain some of the issues pertaining to HIV to the public.

Curbing HIV infections in the country

Dr Poku explained that it is very important that people get to know their status, because when knowledge of one’s status is apparent, whether positive or negative, it predisposes them to advice from experts and subsequent treatment, which is highly effective. He highlighted that HIV is a virus and anybody can contract it.

“When you contract the virus, you might not show any symptoms or sign… It can take years, without medication until the immune system becomes very low to the point where you cannot fight diseases, then you catch any kind of illnesses… Then you are getting to the AIDS stage.”
Dr Fred Nana Poku

The Director of technical service at the Commission opined that when the HIV is in one’s blood stream, it will not be detected when that individual is on the anti-retroviral medication. At this, point, he revealed that there is the possibility of having some of the viruses in a latent state and not cause much havoc.

Dr Poku expressed that the rise in infection is as a result of reckless lifestyle of people. He stated that 80% of infections in most part of the world, including Ghana is through sex.

“So, what it really means is that people are having unprotected sex… Serial partnership is tantamount to having multiple partners… What we are saying is that, naturally there are some people who have the tendency of having sex. We as a Commission are not religious bodies, what we are saying is protect yourself if you fall in that category.”
Dr Fred Nana Poku