First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Dr Lordina Mahama has said HIV and AIDS remains one of the major public health challenges in spite of the successes achieved in halting its spread.<\/p>\n
“Today, an estimated number of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) Ghanaians, are living with the virus, and its attendant socio-economic implications” she said.<\/p>\n
The First Lady said this at a media launch themed, \u201cLove Under the Sun China \u2013 Africa Summer Camp for Children Orphaned by AIDS\u201d in Accra.<\/p>\n
She said in Africa, throughout the last decade, significant achievements have been made, in the response against HIV and AIDS, \u201cand yet, the disease continues to have adverse impact on the lives of children, and families worldwide\u201d adding that Sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected.<\/p>\n
The First Lady explained that the media launch presented a unique opportunity for the media to be informed about the programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would also show the efforts made so far, in not only the response to HIV and AIDS, but equally important, the provision of shelter and care for orphaned, and vulnerable children, as well as the scaling up of activities, and programmes, such as this one for our children,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
First Lady Mahama commended the First Lady of China, Her Excellency Prof. Peng Liyan, and the Chinese government, for being supportive \u201cin our quest to provide the best of care, and guidance for the children affected by HIV and AIDS\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot deny the fact that our national response, to HIV and AIDS, could not have attained the gains it has made so far, without the partnership of our local and international stakeholders,\u201d she said, adding, \u201cI thank all of you very much for your support.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the \u2018\u2018Love under the Sun \u2013 China-Africa Children Orphaned by AIDS Summer Camp\u2019\u2019, which started in 2003 in Hong Kong, offered an avenue to dispel myths about the disease, reduce stigma and discrimination, especially self-stigma, and significantly raise advocacy for children orphaned by the disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking through my leadership, of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV\/AIDS (OAFLA), with the support of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, I am impressed at the progress we have realized in the fight against HIV and AIDS,\u201d said Dr.\u00a0Mahama.<\/p>\n
She recalled some of the achievements such as heightened Prevention-of-Mother-To-Child-Transmission advocacy, integrated outreaches, to many communities, offering HIV Testing Services, maternal health and attitudinal change education, in addition to health screening, for other illnesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, we have promoted Advocacy on Adolescents and HIV, focused particularly on empowering the adolescent girl,\u201d the First Lady added.<\/p>\n
She said \u201cwe have also established strong partnerships that would enable us to provide assistance, to health facilities, especially in deprived areas, in the form of medical supplies, equipment and consumables, mammograms, x-ray machines, among others.\u201d<\/p>\n
First Lady Mahama recalled that in February this year, she, together with other African First Ladies, launched the Campaign to End Child Marriages, as well as the Adolescent \u201cAll-in Campaign\u201d in Ghana.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust as I have dedicated myself to the fight against HIV\/AIDs, I also pledge my continued commitment to the fight against child marriage, not only in Ghana, but on the entire continent of Africa,\u201d the First Lady said.<\/p>\n
She said being the First Lady, as well as being a mother; it was her prayer that the summer camp would inspire greater paediatric care, protection of orphaned children and the promotion of the rights of People Living with HIV, particularly children living with the disease.<\/p>\n
The right of children affected by HIV and AIDS to education, health, and the freedom to live their dreams, are dear to my heart.<\/p>\n
She urged all stake-holders to support the example by the Chinese Government saying, \u201cI will encourage us all to play our part, in our quest to provide comprehensive, and modern care, and support for People Living with HIV, in particular, children living with the virus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madam Sub Baohong, the Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, who hosted the event, said AIDS orphans had equal rights to education as other children.<\/p>\n
She said there was still a long way to go to achieve AIDS prevention and control, adding that governments over the world needed to work together to fight the pandemic.<\/p>\n
She recalled that last year, during the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Peng Liyuan, First Lady of the People\u2019s Republic of China, and the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV\/AIDS, led by First Lady Lordina Mahama, launched the joint statement of Africa-China High Level Advocacy on HIV.<\/p>\n
She said they also re-affirmed the need for Africa and China to join forces to achieve an AIDS free generation.<\/p>\n
Madam Sun said the Chinese government would actively support African countries in their fight against HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
Ten Ghanaian children, two teachers and one official would attend the \u201cLove Under the Sun-China\/Africa Summer Camp for Children Orphaned by AIDS in China.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: GNA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Dr Lordina Mahama has said HIV and AIDS remains one of the major public health challenges in spite of the successes achieved in halting its spread. “Today, an estimated number of two hundred and fifty thousand (250,000) Ghanaians, are living with the virus, and its attendant socio-economic implications” […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":234059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n