Ghana faces HIV risk from drug-injecting individuals. — Prof. Torpey

Ghana is at risk of HIV and blood borne infections among persons who inject drugs, according to a 2022 research conducted in four regions. 

The prevalence of HIV among persons who used and injected drugs was 2.5%, with 12.7% among women and 17.7% among women who injected drugs and were also sex workers.

 Prof. Kwasi Torpey, the Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Ghana, recommended the development of a harm reduction program for persons who use or inject drugs. 

He stated that there are about 39 million people living with HIV on the continent, with 20.8 million in East and Southern Africa and 4.8 million in West and Central Africa.

He stressed the need for concerted measures to increase access to health services and address mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in children.

In order to combat HIV, he underlined the significance of effective leadership and government, funding, and sufficient human resources.

Ghana must take urgent steps to increase its domestic contribution to HIV and demonstrate its commitment to national response.

#Ghana #HIV