HIV/AIDS under attack in Eastern Region

Socioserve-Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), is leading eight other NGOs to clamp down on the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the Eastern Region.

With financial and technical support from the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), the nine NGOs are embarking on HIV prevention project in five HIV prone districts in the region.

They have vowed to ensure the reduction of infection and virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission.

They are to also promote safe sexual practices, especially among the vulnerable groups and to reduce sexual transmission of the HIV.

Addressing stakeholders at a pre-implementation meeting, Ms. Rita Ntoso, Project Manager for Socioserve-Ghana said 27,000 youth and 33,000 adults had been targeted to be informed on HIV prevention issues to ensure behavioral Change.

She said they were also targeting 42,000 people to be reached on HIV prevention through one-on-one and small level intervention.

“A total of 12,000 people are projected to be tested for HIV through outreach counseling and testing services and 350,000 condoms to be distributed,” Ms. Ntoso said.

Pregnant women and their partners would be reached with PMTCT and family planning services.

Mrs. Golda Asante, Head of Technical Support Unit of the Regional Aids Commission, appealed to peer educators to improve their quality of work in fighting HIV infection in the region.

She said some peer educators felt shy of letting people realize they have condoms for sale in the communities, with some citing religious reasons.

Mrs. Asante urged peer educators to let their presence and the availability of the condoms be felt in their communities.

She also entreated the NGOs to intensify their monitoring on the activities of the peer educators to achieve the goal of minimizing HIV/AIDS in Eastern Region.

The NGOs, which are partnering Socioserve-Ghana in the fight, are Youth Sports Development Programme, Best Life for All, International Help Support Services and Sky Vision.

Others are 4HGhana, TAJAF Foundation, Christian Family Life and Christian and Muslim Council.