By GINNAH MINI
THE former Deputy Chairman of the National AIDS Council (NAC), Cardinal Sir John Ribat, has called on the government to invest more in HIV/AIDS prevention programs, given the alarming increase in the HIV prevalence rate from 0.4 per cent to 1.5 per cent over the past 14 years.
While presenting the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) on HIV/AIDS prevention programs to the NAC, which outlined what went wrong and the actions that need to be taken by the Council, Sir John noted that investment in HIV/AIDS funding has dropped from K30 million annually to K2 million.
“I’m afraid this is simply not enough, as this amount is only enough to fund two TV advertisements,” Sir John said.
“Increased investment in HIV/AIDS is necessary because, if the country fails to realistically and seriously invest in HIV/AIDS prevention and management, it could cost the nation more than K271 million annually in healthcare costs and lost economic productivity.”
Sir John said that an annual investment of K20 million in HIV/AIDS prevention and management programs would protect the country from more than K271 million in economic losses.
“I am equally concerned that global investment in HIV/AIDS has declined, as funding has been redirected elsewhere to address competing geopolitical interests,” Sir John said, adding that this has left a funding gap that must be filled through domestic sources.
The Cardinal highlighted HIV statistics, noting a 300 per cent increase in the sex work industry, a 34 per cent increase in mother-to-child transmission, a 120 per cent increase in infections among the general population, and more than a 40 per cent increase in the number of people lost to treatment.
“The shameful story to the rest of the world is that seven children are being born with HIV every day,” Sir John said.
Sir John called on NAC Council members to review the SWOT analysis and work towards developing a cross-cutting HIV/AIDS policy to present to the government for budgeting and planning.