Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), has warned that the rate of new infections among key populations will continue to surge if discrimination and stigmatization do not end.
He lamented that individuals within key populations—such as men who have sex with men (MSM)—frequently face discrimination when attempting to access healthcare.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he emphasised that these individuals must be granted access to quality healthcare without prejudice.
Mr. Ortsin explained that a lack of treatment within these groups directly correlates to rising infection rates.
“We must stop the stigma against those living with the virus,” he stated. “If you stigmatize them, they will not seek treatment, especially those who identify as men who have sex with men. With proper treatment, viral loads can be reduced drastically, which is why we have a responsibility to end discrimination. We need to encourage people to get tested rather than mocking them or sex workers.”
He further stressed the public health risk of discrimination: “If a member of a key population visits a hospital and is mocked or pointed at, they will stop seeking medical help and may continue to spread the virus. We must remember that some MSM individuals are bisexual; if we keep stigmatizing them, the virus will continue to spread to the broader population.”
Additionally, Mr. Ortsin called on the government to better resource the National HIV and AIDS Fund.
He noted that international donor support has declined significantly, making it vital for Ghana to generate internal funds to effectively manage and treat HIV and AIDS.
He was responding to concerns raised by the Ghana National AIDS Control Programme. Ghana’s National AIDS Control Programme reports persistently high HIV infection rates among vulnerable groups, including female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender women.
According to new data, approximately 4.5% of female sex workers, 26% of men who have sex with men, and 48% of transgender women tested were HIV-positive.
The Head of Prevention, Counselling, and Nutrition at the NACP, Ms Caroline Adonadga, stated that these figures reflect a broader national problem requiring enhanced prevention measures, wider access to testing and counselling services, and continuous public education.
She disclosed that approximately 4.5% of every 100 female sex workers tested were HIV-positive. Among men who have sex with men, about 26 out of every 100 tested positive, while nearly 48 out of every 100 transgender women tested were found to be living with HIV.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana