The programme manager of the National AIDS Control Programme, Dr Stephen Ayisi-Addo has reiterated that there is no cure for HIV/AIDS.
He advised the public against individuals and companies with claims of drugs that cure HIV/AIDS.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Kumasi on Wednesday on the self-testing project by Ghana HIV and AIDS Network and Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Ayisi-Addo said the sale of HIV/AIDS drugs in the country is illegal.
He cautioned perpetrators of this crime to desist from the act immediately. The programme manager urged the public to report such persons to appropriate authorities.
He said, “…so the disease has no cure. As I speak, there is no permanent cure so don’t be deceived.”
Ayisi-Addo urged the public to prioritise self-testing or voluntary visits to health facilities to know one’s status.
He cautioned people against conspiracy theories surrounding HIV/AIDS, saying the virus is not spiritually acquired hence the need to observe safety protocols, especially protected sex.
He urged persons living with the virus to enroll on to antiretroviral therapy and not use unapproved drugs.
Ayisi-Addo noted that out of Ghana’s population of 31 million, about 350,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS and about 20,000 people are on antiretroviral therapy.
He added that women and children are more vulnerable than men, with two out of every 100 pregnant women testing positive. Seven percent of people living with the virus are children.
The Ghana Health Service and its partners continue to observe Agenda 95-95-95 with an aim to record no HIV/AIDS case in Ghana by 2030.
Reporting by Albert Kuzor in Satansi, Kumasi
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