With the Ghana Aids Commission bemoaning the increasing number of people with HIV in the country, the central regional health directorate is taking steps to ensure that every individual knows their status.
It is in light of this that the directorate, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, is rolling out a programme in the region to help individuals know their status.
According to the Regional HIV coordinator for central region, Mr. Isaac Addisi who spoke to ATL FM NEWS, this is an opportunity to test for HIV at one’s own convenience and comfort zone without fear of stigmatization.
He said the Ghana Health Service has introduced an HIV self-testing kit called ‘Oral Quick’ which will be made available in pharmacies and health care facilities.
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To him, once the Oral quick test kit is issued to an individual, the person can do the testing at his or her own convenience.
Mr. Adisi revealed that the test kit works by making a swab at one’s upper and lower gum with result showing if a person is reactive or not within 20mins.
He added that, once the Oral quick test kit shows a person as reactive, he or she must report immediately to a health care facility for treatment to avoid future health complications that may arise as a result of being HIV positive.
According to Mr. Addisi, the Oral quick test kit will be issued for free at pharmacies and health care facilities for easy attainment by all.
He also noted that, it is important to get tested to know one’s HIV status to aid in early treatment and to be an advantage for effective treatment.
He maintained that it is important for individuals to know their status and take their HIV medications administered to them religiously when they test positive.
Source: Comfort Sweety Hayford/ATLFMNEWS
