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Mr. Samuel Yao Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, a health NGO operating in the Volta Region, has assured people living with HIV and AIDS that their status remained strictly confidential and should not be divulged to any third party without their consent.
He said disclosing their status to a third party without their explicit authorization contravene Act 938 of 2016, which governed HIV and AIDS response in Ghana. Mr. Atidzah was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Ho on the alleged discrimination against People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) and noted that the Act sought to protect the rights of PLWHIV, adding, “it protects them from stigma and discrimination.”
He stated that the Act aligned with Ghana’s commitment to global human rights standards, including the UNAIDS 2025 Targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). He stated that any act of violence, abuse and harassment against persons living with or affected by HIV and AIDS was prohibited.
He noted that under the Act, no person should be discriminated against based on their HIV status in employment, education, healthcare or any other sector. The Executive Director therefore cautioned employers, educational institutions, healthcare providers or any other sector that it was an offence to deny opportunities to individuals due to their HIV status. Mr. Atidzah said PLWHIA also have the right to access healthcare, including testing, treatment, care and support services.
He called on the government to make the provision of Antiretroviral Therapy and other necessary medical interventions affordable and accessible to them. He noted that HIV testing should only be conducted with the informed consent of the individual except in specific cases such as blood donation, court orders or public health interventions, adding that a pre and post-test counseling should always be provided. Mr. Atidzah called on public and private institutions to implement policies that would help prevent HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
He said special protection should be given to women, children and other vulnerable groups to prevent gender-based violence and coercion related to HIV and AIDS. The Executive Director said programmes should also be put in place to help address the unique challenges faced by key populations including sex workers, LGBTQ+ individuals and people who inject drugs. He stated that individuals who experienced discrimination or rights violations due to their HIV status should be helped to seek redress through legal and administrative channels.
Mr. Atidzah called on the Ghana AIDS Commission and relevant authorities to take action to address complaints from victims of rights violations and discrimination and enforced penalties when necessary.
Source: GNA
