19,101 tested HIV+ in 2017 – GAC

Nineteen thousand one hundred and one (19,101) Ghanaians tested positive for HIV in 2017, the Ghana Aids Commission (GAC) has said.

The Commission has, therefore, called on members of the public to check their HIV status.

According to the Commission, the national prevalence rate stands at 1.67 with 19,101 new infections in 2017 with about 700 deaths.

The Volta Regional HIV Manager, Mr Courage Botchway, Class News on the sidelines of the launch of the 2018 World Aids Day in Ho, the Volta regional capital, that there are drugs for persons who have tested positive.

“Once you test positive, you are put on ARVs; previously, there were certain criteria that you had to meet before you were put on the medication but from 2017, anybody who is HIV positive has the right to be put on medication once the person is willing.”