The battle against the dreaded HIV/AIDS pandemic has been affected by the impact of the Novel coronavirus.
Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission however says the disruptive nature of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated new and innovative ways of doing things.
The Director General; Mr. Kyeremeh Atuahene who was speaking at the launch of this year’s World AIDS Day Celebration, called for all hands to be on deck as the nation strives to end AIDS by 2030.
“It is feasible with renewed commitment and active participation. Everyone’s contribution counts if we are to make AIDS a thing of the past by 2030” he stressed.
He also emphasized the need to support infected persons and avoid all forms of stigmatization. He reminded all that sanctions await people who stigmatized persons living with HIV/AIDS.
For her part, Country Director for UNAIDS; Angela Trenton advocated the use of telemedicine and other innovative technologies in dealing with the disruptive effects of COVID-19. She hinted that although COVID-19 has been disruptive, there are opportunities to do things differently and in better ways.
She called for vigilance and partnerships to help end HIV.
Launching the celebration, Ambassador Mokowah Blay, Presidential advisor on HIV at the Jubilee House also revealed that Ghana had so far lagged behind in the achievement of the 90-90-90 HIV targets.
She recognized stakeholders who through their individual efforts are playing roles to help end HIV/AIDS by 2030. She also stressed the need to close the funding gap for HIV/AIDS activities.
This year’s World AIDS Day Celebration is under the theme; “Global Solidarity, shared responsibility” and sub theme “Stay safe, let’s end AIDS by 2030”.