The Director General of the Ghana AIDs Commission, Dr. Angela El-Adas has revealed that over 2,000 children died of HIV and AIDs in 2013.
She said some 2,407 children aged 0 to 15 years also contracted the disease adding that in all, women and children, the majority of those infected by HIV, made up 70 percent of total infected cases.
In the Western Region Dr. Angela said the 2013 HIV sentinel Survey maintained the region’s HIV prevalence of 2.4 percent and is higher than the national average of 1.4 percent.
[contextly_sidebar id=”iNUBgDWYQNOx8rs0gordzuXhZWlygQhP”]She observed that what might compound the situation is the influx of migrant workers as a result of the booming oil and gas industry and other related jobs.
“With the influx of migrant workers from different cultures, the booming oil and gas industry and the heightened industrialization, there is the tendency for increased risk behaviors and spread of HIV.”
She however added that “the Western Region has the potential to mobilize adequate resources from the private sector and partnerships to address the challenges in the health sector.”
Apart from HIV infections she added that the commission has been struggling to address the reproductive health needs of women including cervical cancers which affect over 3,000 women each year in Ghana.
She said the Ghana AIDs Commission will continue to collaborate with the Ghana Chapter of the Organization of African First Ladies against HIV AIDS “to focus on efforts to achieve national and global targets in PMTCT and to empower women to take charge of their reproductive health needs through the creation of awareness, providing prevention education and screening outreaches for breast and cervical cancers.”
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By Obrempong Yaw Ampofo/citifmonline.com/Ghana