The Ho West District HIV/AIDS Committee of Ghana Aids Commission (GAC) as part of their advocacy activities has sensitized students and Teachers of Amedzofe E.P. College of Education (AMECO) on the need to know all the facts about HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 diseases and the importance of one knowing his/her status.
The District HIV Focal Person, Mr. Ebenezer Nkrumah stated that one of the mandates of the committee is to champion HIV/AIDS response to enlighten the citizenry on the virus/disease. He added that there is a rise in HIV cases in the country hence the education to provide them with the knowledge to reduce their risk of becoming infected.
According to Mr. Nkrumah, the goal of the Ghana AIDS commission is to achieve epidemic control of the disease and to fast track the target of 95-95-95 by the end of 2025. This requires that 95 percent of persons living with HIV in the country are diagnosed, 95 percent of the people diagnosed must be placed on antiretroviral treatment and 95 percent of the people living on the antiretroviral treatment be virally suppressed.
Mr. Seth Amegashitsi, the Public Health Promotion Officer from the District Health Directorate educated the students and Teachers on the mode of transmission, prevention, treatment when one is tested positive, testing, counselling and stigmatization.
He said the upsurge of HIV infections in the country is alarming and therefore encouraged the young people who are mostly infected by the disease to develop behaviours that would protect them against the risk of HIV infection.
Mr. Amegashitsi encouraged the students and Teachers to get tested and know their HIV status as it will help them lead a healthy lifestyle that can help minimize the spread of the virus/disease. He further indicated that the government through GAC is working assideouly to ensure that all medicines necessary for proper treatment of HIV infection are available in the various hospitals and other health centres across the country.
On COVID-19, Mr. Amegashitsi indicated that the virus still exists and urged those who have not vaccinated to do so.
The Students and Teachers were also given the opportunity to ask questions where answers were provided by the Team.
The Principal of the College, Dr. Dickson Tsey was grateful for the education to the students. He advised them to be cautious of their sexual activities as AIDS is real.
Mr. Seth Amegashitsi concluded by reminding the student/Teachers of the College that, combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 is a shared responsibility. Therefore, all stakeholders must work collectively to control the spread.
