GAC test 1,030 for HIV at NPP congress

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has offered free counselling and testing for 1,030 people at the just ended 26th National Delegates Congress of the ruling New Patriotic Party in Koforidua over the weekend.

They were made up of 622 males and 408 females ranging between the ages of 18 and 65.

As part of the HIV testing services to meet the agenda 90-90-90, the clients who came voluntarily to test at a stand mounted by the GAC, were counselled and given free female and male condoms for sexual protection.

The Technical Support Unit (TSU) of the GAC in the Eastern Region took advantage of the congress that attracted over 6,000 delegates and 20,000 party faithful to the Koforidua Technical University to offer HIV services.

Ms Golda Asante, the Coordinator of the TSU, said about 80 per cent of the number were in their youth between the ages of 18 and 45 and described it as very positive in the effort to end the challenge by 2020 under the Agenda 90-90-90.

The Agenda 90-90-90 is a global response to HIV and AIDS and it means that by 2020, 90 per cent of people in Ghana would have tested and known their HIV status; 90 per cent of that number was on the ART treatment and care; and 90 per cent would have achieved viral suppression as the roadmap to ending AIDS in 2030 globally.

Ms Asante said as part of the achieving Agenda 90-90-90, her outfit in the region as a routine identifies every outdoor programme such as the Akuapem Odwira and the Kwahu Easter festivities to extend the HIV services to the public.

She said those who tested positive have been referred to health facilities near them and their particulars have been taken for strict monitoring to ensure that they received the ART treatment and care.

Ms Asante urged the public to know their status for HIV and accept the ART treatment because it is the surest way to prevent an infected person from getting AIDS.