Stigmatization Against HIV, TB Patients Kills Them More Than Disease-CHAG Coordinator

The Middle Zone Coordinator for the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Eric Ohene-Gyan, has disclosed that most HIV/AIDS patients shun accessing anti-retroviral treatment at hospitals because of societal stigmatization.

Speaking at a program organized by the association at Adamsu, a suburb of Drobo in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono region dubbed “HIV/TB Community System Strengthening”, Mr. Ohene Gyan observed that people, despite recent contemplation about the continuous rise of HIV/AIDs infections, most people are unwilling to visit hospitals for anti-retroviral treatment because of societal shame.

He added that the stigma sometimes compels others to travel from their local health facilities to other facilities far away for the anti-retroviral drugs to prevent people closer to them from knowing their HIV status, which he said is not the best practice.

Mr. Ohene Gyan stated that HIV is just a virus that can transform into a full-blown AIDS, but with the correct and consistent intake of drugs, the potency of the virus can be suppressed.

On her part, Nana Ama Agyapomaa , who is the Queenmother of Adamsu, said that since HIV came into existence quite a long time ago, abiding by the series of education on the virus by health workers will go a long way in helping all people living with the virus to sustain their lives. She emphasized that HIV patients are equally human, and hence there must be humanitarian treatment for them in our homes and in society at large to make them fit comfortably into society.

Nana Agyarpomaa also advised people carrying the virus to stop spreading it intentionally.

Mr. Ampaabeng Harrison, the HIV/AIDS focal person in the Jaman South municipal, detailed the HIV situation in the municipality from 2020 to mid 2022.

He indicated that the Jaman South Municipal recorded 228 HIV positive cases in 2020, made up of 64 males, 164 females, and 11 minors. However, in 2021, 225 cases were recorded, comprising 68 males, 157 females, and 13 minors.

He added that from January to June this year, the municipality recorded 129 positive cases out of 1,237 tested people, with 41 males, 88 females, and 17 minors acquiring the infection.