The Programmes Manager of the National AIDS Control Programme, Dr. Ayisi Addo, has called for the strengthening of efforts to address challenges that facing Persons Living with Human Immune Virus (PLHIVs).
Some of these challenges, said were as the non- availability of Anti-Retrieval Therapy (ARVs), stigma against PLHIVs and test kits for the virus among others.
These challenges if not addressed, according to him, would derail efforts at tackling HIV and AIDS dresses in the country.
Dr. Addo was speaking at a round-table discussion held in Accra yesterday to deliberate and highlight on the human right abuses and access to treatment being faced by vulnerable groups.
It was organised by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development CCD-GHANA and the United Nations programme for AIDS (UNAIDS).
Dr Addo said that, PLHIV, continued to experience persistent societal and institutional discrimination, despite successes chalked in the prevention of HIV and AIDS in the country.
He said due to the persistent stigmatization, infection rates remained high among certain key population in some parts of the country, noting that stigmatization creates disabling environment for fighting HIV and other health related issues for the key populations.
Mr. Victor Brobbey, A lecture at the Law School of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), said Ghana had done relatively well by steadily reducing the HIV and AIDS infection rate but stigmatization still persists.
He advocated a targeted legislation and a law that would operationalise the rights of people to help address issues of discrimination.
<<Print>>