No cure yet for HIV …GAC urges strict adherence to treatment

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has emphasized that there is currently no cure for HIV, urging individuals diagnosed with the virus to adhere strictly to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. According to the Director-General of GAC, Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, while antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly effective, only 57% of the estimated 337,435 persons living with HIV in Ghana are currently on treatment.

Dr Akanbong attributed the low treatment coverage to factors such as self-denial, stigma, discrimination, and discontinuing treatment when individuals start feeling healthy. He also noted that some people resort to prayer and herbal remedies instead of following prescribed medical treatment.

Dr Akanbong highlighted the importance of ART in preventing HIV-related deaths, stating that over 13,000 lives were saved through treatment in 2025 alone. He explained that consistent adherence to ART could lead to the complete suppression of the virus in the patient's system. Modern HIV treatment has become more convenient, with some patients able to take a single tablet daily, similar to managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

The GAC plans to make ARVs available through designated pharmacies and accredited facilities to enable patients to obtain their medicines more discreetly. The commission also intends to expand access to HIV prevention interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), as well as enhance condom services to reduce new HIV infections.

Encouraging routine HIV testing, Dr Akanbong urged people living with HIV not to stop treatment simply because they feel healthy, emphasizing that the absence of symptoms does not mean the virus has been cured. He expressed hope in ART treatment, stating that with ART, individuals can live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Dr Ekua Houphouet, the Country Director of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in Ghana, stressed the crucial role of media in advancing the country's HIV response, encouraging responsible reporting to promote testing, health-seeking behavior, awareness of prevention options, and treatment adherence.