Lack of Gov’t Funding and Stigma Fueling Rise In HIV Infection – Prez of HIV/AIDS Network | Health

The President of the Ghana HIV/AIDS Network, Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, has highlighted the lack of government funding for public education as a major factor contributing to the rise in HIV infections.

According to him, for over a decade, the Global Fund supported HIV prevention advocacy. However, the number of infections continued to increase, prompting the Global Fund to shift its focus to drug procurement, leaving the government responsible for advocacy funding.

Mr. Ortsin noted that since the Global Fund ceased funding advocacy efforts, the Ghanaian government has failed to allocate the necessary resources to educate the public about HIV. This lack of funding has left a significant gap in public awareness and education, which is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.

Speaking to Peace FM News, he explained that the government had committed to establishing a national HIV/AIDS fund as far back as 2016 to support the AIDS Commission and various NGOs in their advocacy efforts.

Unfortunately, this fund is still not operational, exacerbating the challenges faced by organizations working to combat HIV.

Mr. Ortsin also pointed out a worrying trend among the youth, who are increasingly engaging in unprotected sex.

This behavior is significantly contributing to the rising number of infections. He stressed the urgent need for renewed educational campaigns and government support to address these issues and curb the spread of HIV.

Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin further explained that stigma and discrimination are preventing people from seeking treatment from health professionals.

He, therefore, urges people with the infection to ignore such stigma and take their medication, as it leads to the dormancy of the disease and prevents further spread.