Ghana is facing a concerning rise in HIV-related deaths, with new data revealing a staggering 33% increase in fatalities in 2023.
According to reports from the Ghana AIDS Commission, 12,480 Ghanaians lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses last year, compared to 9,359 deaths recorded in 2022.
Unfortunately, deaths resulting from AIDS recorded for persons of all ages were 9,359.
The 2022 statistics show that Adults (15+ years) were 7,179; children (0-14 years) 2,180; adolescents (10–19 years) 645 and young people (15–24 years) were 739.
The rise in deaths comes amidst a backdrop of increasing HIV infections, with 17,774 new cases reported in 2023. Females accounted for a significant majority of new infections, comprising 63.67% of the total cases, while males made up the remaining 36.32%.
Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has expressed deep concern over the alarming trend, highlighting the need for urgent action to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in the country.
He emphasized that many of the recent deaths were preventable with timely access to appropriate treatments and comprehensive healthcare services.
Despite progress in HIV treatment availability, Ghana continues to face challenges in achieving the global 95-95-95 targets by 2025.
These targets aim to have 95% of people living with HIV aware of their status, 95% of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART achieving viral suppression. In 2023, Ghana achieved 65.3%, 69.4%, and 89.0% for the respective targets, indicating the need for accelerated efforts and collaborative initiatives to improve outcomes.
Dr. Atuahene called for increased efforts to combat AIDS, particularly among the economically active population aged 15 to 49, emphasizing that addressing the AIDS epidemic should be a national priority in Ghana.
He stressed the importance of education, awareness, and access to preventive measures and treatment services in reducing new infections and preventing HIV-related deaths.
As Ghana grapples with the impact of HIV/AIDS, there is an urgent need for coordinated action from government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and the private sector to curb the spread of the virus and improve outcomes for those affected.
tigpost.co
