More than 30 percent of individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) delay their treatment due to financial constraints, according to the Ghana AIDS Commission.
Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Commission’s Director General, explained that this occurs because the Commission sometimes cannot provide free antiretroviral drugs.
He stated that the Commission faces an annual funding gap of approximately $89 million, leading patients to cover the cost of their treatment.
Dr. Atuahene expressed concern about this situation during an interview on JoyNews’ AM SHOW on Thursday, October 18.
“Some facilities have decided to charge people living with HIV for some of the services. For example, laboratory services and that is costing them a lot.
“Out-of-pocket payment relating to HIV treatment by persons living with HIV in Ghana in 2021, went up to $32 million. Now this is very worrying because it is supposed to be free,” he lamented.
The Ghana AIDS Commission had previously expressed alarm over the rising number of females in the country living with HIV due to engaging in unprotected sex.
The Commission’s Director General had voiced concern about the significant number of women involved in unprotected intercourse with multiple partners, which is contributing to the increased prevalence of HIV among women and the virus’s spread.
Dr. Atuahene noted that women face biological vulnerability to HIV and other infections, emphasizing that it is the collective responsibility of women and their partners to ensure women’s protection. Nonetheless, many males continue to insist on having unprotected sex.
“When you go out there, you will see young people even some at the tender age of 10 solicit from the internet. So, you hook up where a young lady will go to a client at an agreed place,” he added.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has disclosed that there are over 100,000 individuals in the country who are carriers of HIV. Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene stated that these HIV carriers are unaware of their status and continue to transmit the virus. The Commission has initiated an intensive effort to locate and provide treatment for these over 100,000 individuals with HIV.