Volta Region HIV Cases Surges as Thousands Refuse Treatment
- Over 8,000 people in the Volta Region diagnosed with HIV are not receiving treatment, raising urgent concerns among health officials
- The region is also experiencing a rise in new infections, adding further strain to the healthcare system
- Denial, stigma, and fear of exposure are key barriers preventing many from accessing the necessary care
Health officials are raising alarms as new data reveals a troubling gap in HIV care in the Volta Region, where an estimated 8,076 people diagnosed with the virus are not receiving treatment.
This comes as the region grapples with a steady rise in new infections, highlighting a dual crisis of prevention and treatment uptake.
Source: UGC
According to the 2024 Volta Region HIV Fact Sheet, a total of 19,078 people are currently living with the disease in the area.
The data shows a significant gender disparity, with 12,881 females aged 15 and over affected, compared to 4,999 males in the same age group.
Additionally, 1,198 children between the ages of 0 and 14 are living with the virus.
The challenge of getting diagnosed individuals onto treatment plans is a major concern for healthcare providers.
Mr. Gustav Boni, the Volta Regional Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Ghana HIV and AIDS Network, explained that the initial diagnosis is often met with shock and disbelief.
“Telling somebody that they have HIV is not an easy matter to go about, so most at times when people are being tested for HIV and the result turns out to be positive, they happen to be in a state of denial, a state where they do not accept that the virus lives within them,” he stated in an interview with YEN.com.gh.
Troubling increase in new infections
The situation is further complicated by a rise in new HIV cases. In 2024, the region recorded 809 new infections.
This represents an increase from the 778 new infections recorded in 2023. The previous year, in 2022, there were 730 new cases, indicating a persistent upward trend in the spread of the virus.
This steady increase underscores the urgent need for both enhanced prevention efforts and a more effective strategy to bring people into the treatment fold.
Why are so many not on HIV treatment?
According to Mr. Boni, the reasons for the high number of people avoiding treatment are complex, involving deep-seated personal and social factors.
A primary obstacle is the initial denial, which prevents individuals from taking the first step toward care.
“When that [denial] happens, it becomes difficult to enrol the person on treatment,” Boni explained, adding that “... to enrol someone for treatment, the person must first accept the diagnosis, and if they don't accept the diagnosis, there's no way they will allow you to enrol them for treatment.” .
He noted that this denial is often rooted in personal beliefs and social circumstances.
“They attribute not being affected to several factors including religious factors. Some believe that God or the gods they worship would not allow such a thing [HIV infection] to befall them, so it's never true they have the virus,” Boni said.
Fear of stigma also plays a significant role. Even when individuals accept their status, the fear of being recognised at a local clinic can be a powerful deterrent.
"Some too, if they accept, they won't accept to be enrolled in their districts because of fear that a known person might get to know their status, and so they ask that they be enrolled in another facility of their choice," Boni revealed.
This, according to Mr. Boni, creates a logistical nightmare for healthcare workers, as “The clinician too can't follow them there to know if they actually went to enrol.”
This gap in the system means many who intend to seek treatment may never actually start it, contributing to the 8,076 people who remain outside the healthcare system's reach.
Source: Instagram
Sonnie Badu decries rise of HIV cases
In a related development, YEN.com.gh reported that Gospel musician Sonnie Badu lamented Ghana's consistent rise in new HIV-positive patients.
He shared his thoughts on the issue during a recent radio interview.
He advised citizens to be mindful of the pressure and challenges within Ghana's health system.
Source: YEN.com.gh
