Ghana has expanded access to HIV and AIDS services – First Lady

First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo said that Ghana has introduced the provision of task transfer and differentiated services to increase access to HIV and AIDS services.

She said this task should help improve health and development outcomes, while ensuring that children are born free and remain free of HIV infection.

She said this was crucial "if we want to develop our theme of last year," Harnessing Africa's demographic dividend "to accelerate development," she told her counterparts at a meeting in New York. York.

Speaking in New York at a program organized by the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA), Ms Akufo-Addo said: "The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is an important first step in ensuring a generation without HIV. This goal can be achieved by ensuring that all pregnant women have access to professional health care and regular prenatal care. "

The OAFLA meeting held on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly discussed the "Free to Shine" campaign, which was launched last January in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The program brought together development agencies, foundation partners and the private sector, with the goal of networking with the first ladies for future support and programs.

Ms. Akufo-Addo urged her counterparts to replicate her eloquent example of building health facilities that would provide primary health care in underserved communities, saying such facilities would allow all pregnant women access to health facilities. care and professional advice. financial support for caesarean delivery, if applicable.

She added that improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive mothers, though difficult, was still needed as this would help eliminate MTCT.

The First Lady said, "Finding ways to maintain adherence to antiretroviral therapy can be complex and requires a multi-disciplinary effort by health and social workers as well as dedicated family members to achieve the results. desired ".

She called for support for "Heart to Heart" ambassadors in Ghana, who are mobilizing to educate their peers on HIV and AIDS, saying it was necessary to support the efforts of ambassadors to improve membership antiretroviral treatment. in pregnant women and reduce the stigma associated with HIV.

Mr Michel Sidibe, Executive Director of UNAIDS, congratulated the first ladies for their commitment to improving the lot of women, children and adolescent girls.

"AIDS is not over. It's the last mile and the last mile is not easy. We must be strong and ensure that this partnership with the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV / AIDS is the one that puts an end to the transmission of HIV from mother to child. Your efforts will be essential to all that we can achieve, "he said.

Source: GNA