Health authorities in the Asokore-Mampong Municipality have raised concerns about the increasing rate of HIV infections in the area. They are calling for urgent action from all stakeholders to contain the disease and prevent it from escalating further.
In 2022, the municipality saw an increase in HIV cases, with the infection rate rising from 1.46 percent to 1.61 percent in 2023. This represents an increment of 0.15 percent in reported cases.
The Municipal Director of Health Services, Reverend Solomon Anum-Doko, informed the Ghana News Agency that data from the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate indicates that, as of 2023, there are an estimated 2,262 individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the municipality. This figure comprises 749 males, 1,406 females, and 107 children.
In 2023, a total of 144 new infections were recorded, including 46 males, 88 females, and 10 children. Rev. Anum-Doko emphasized that the rising number of reported cases necessitates immediate attention from all stakeholders, especially the youth, to lead advocacy efforts promoting abstinence, monogamy, condom use, and regular visits to HIV testing centers in the municipality to monitor their health status.
He attributed the surge in HIV cases largely to unprotected sexual intercourse, noting that approximately 70 to 80 percent of cases stem from sexual activity, while other transmission methods are comparatively rare.
Rev. Anum-Doko also cautioned against the stigmatization of those living with the disease. He highlighted that access to HIV/AIDS medication allows individuals to seek early diagnosis and treatment, which is crucial in helping to reduce the spread of the virus.
