Over 160,000 People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Treatment in Ghana – Dr. Ayisi Addo
Ghana has reached a milestone in its fight against HIV, with over 160,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) currently benefiting from antiretroviral therapy (ART), according to Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, the Programme Manager of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme at the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This figure represents nearly half of Ghana’s estimated 334,095 PLHIV population, with approximately 130,000 achieving viral suppression, which significantly reduces transmission risk and enhances quality of life. Since the country launched its ART initiative in 2003, more than 300,000 individuals have accessed treatment through Ghana’s robust network of 735 ART sites and 6,000 Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) centers.
Dr. Addo highlighted these accomplishments at the National HIV/STI Research Dialogue in Accra, held under the theme, “20 Years of HIV Antiretroviral Treatment in Ghana: Celebrating the Progress, Ending the Epidemic.” The event, which convened healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers, aimed to provide fresh insights into HIV/STI research and prevention, shaping the path toward Ghana’s 2030 HIV/AIDS targets.
“Research shows that consistent ART use allows PLHIV to achieve life expectancy comparable to those without HIV,” Dr. Addo remarked. He added that many PLHIV have been on ART for two decades and remain in good health, underscoring the therapy’s effectiveness in curbing mother-to-child transmission, boosting childhood survival, and alleviating household burdens.
Dr. Addo also called for a unified approach to reduce stigma and discrimination against PLHIV, saying, “With epidemic control within reach, we aim to broaden our research into understudied areas to address emerging issues effectively.”
The Director-General of GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, echoed these sentiments, stressing that the battle against HIV requires renewed energy to achieve recent target goals. He urged stakeholders to bolster investment in innovative HIV prevention strategies and expand public awareness to curb new infections.
“The path ahead calls for strengthened commitment, particularly in the realms of treatment, prevention, and research,” Dr. Kuma-Aboagye stated. Similarly, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health, affirmed that past achievements in the HIV fight should inspire even more significant strides toward epidemic elimination.
As Ghana continues to make strides in HIV control, the health sector calls for collective efforts, renewed focus, and strategic investments to reach the ultimate goal of eliminating HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
