Let�s Protect The Rights Of Persons Living With HIV &AIDS

The Programs Manager of the National AIDS Control Program, Dr. Ayisi Addo, has called for the intensification of hard work to tackle challenges facing Persons Living with Human Immune Virus (PLHIVs). Speaking at a roundtable discussion held in Accra, Dr. Ayisi Addo touched on some of the challenges including the non- availability of Anti-Retrieval Therapy (ARVs), stigma against PLHIVs and test kits for the virus among others. The conference was organized by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development CCD-GHANA and the United Nations program for AIDS (UNAIDS). The meeting was also to deliberate and highlight on the human right abuses and access to treatment being faced by vulnerable groups. If not addressed, the Programs Manager of the National AIDS Control Program claims would wreck efforts at tackling HIV and AIDS in the country. Dr Addo indicated that PLHIV, continued to experience persistent societal and institutional discrimination, despite successes chalked in the prevention of HIV and AIDS in the country. Infection rates remained high due to persistent stigmatization among certain key population in some parts of the country, Dr. Addo added. Stigmatization in his view creates disabling environment for fighting HIV and other health related issues for the key populations. Mr. Victor Brobbey, A lecture at the Law School of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), said Ghana had done relatively well by steadily reducing the HIV and AIDS infection rate but stigmatization still persists. He advocated a targeted legislation and a law that would operationalise the rights of people to help address issues of discrimination.