Fight HIV/AIDS: GAC to Media

The Ghana Aids Commission (GAC) says HIV/AIDS is still prevalent in Ghana and has charged the media to intensify the fight against the disease through their platforms.

Speaking at a training workshop for Greater Accra Health Reporters in Accra on Friday, 4 May 2018, the Director of Research, Monitoring & Evaluation of GAC, Kyeremeh Atuahene, explained that some journalists do not have adequate information about the disease.

Mr Atuahene said they are ready to better-equip and collaborate with the media to reach out to the citizenry so HIV/AIDS can be eradicated in the shortest possible time.

He also charged the media to be a source of encouragement for People Living With HIV/AIDS by letting them know that through anti-retroviral treatment, HIV can be managed to extend their lives.

“Your responsibility is to ensure that our people are protected and that they are supported to prevent themselves from contracting the virus; and those who have it, we should support them to live productive lives by urging them to seek treatment using anti-retroviral drugs so they can live longer,” he told the press who attended the training programme.

Mr Atuahene said the media can partner the AIDS Commission to “work together to not only eliminate AIDS but reduce new infections and drive down to zero AIDS-related deaths”.

He emphasised that “until we achieve this as a country, we should not have any satisfaction because HIV will continue to destroy lives”.

Mr Atuahene admonished journalists to make known their challenges in reporting HIV/AIDS-related matters so the commission provides the necessary support and information towards attaining the objectives of the national HIV/AIDS strategic plan.

Source: ClassFMonline