The Upper East Regional Hospital has recorded a notable increase in HIV case detection following a shift in its testing strategy from large-scale community outreach programmes to routine, facility-based screening across its departments.
Health officials say the new approach has strengthened early diagnosis, improved treatment initiation, and enhanced awareness of HIV status among patients seeking care at the facility.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Data Manager at the hospital’s Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Unit, Mr Samuel Efa-Quayson, explained that the hospital previously relied on mass community testing during public events such as durbars, church programmes and national celebrations.
However, he noted that low positivity yields from those outreach activities, combined with funding constraints, prompted a transition to provider-initiated testing integrated into routine hospital services.
“Initially, HIV testing was conducted during durbars, church programmes and national celebrations. However, funding constraints and the relatively low number of positive cases identified through those outreach activities led programme managers to integrate HIV testing into routine health services offered at almost all units in the hospital,” he said.
Under the revised system, healthcare workers across various departments have been trained to routinely offer HIV testing to patients as part of standard medical care.
According to Mr Efa-Quayson, this approach has significantly improved detection rates, allowing more cases to be identified earlier compared to previous community-based campaigns.
He stressed that early knowledge of HIV status remains critical, regardless of the outcome of the test.
“When people know they are HIV-negative, they are encouraged to continue protecting themselves and maintaining healthy lifestyles. It also gives them peace of mind,” he said.
He further explained that individuals who test positive can begin antiretroviral therapy early, achieve viral suppression, and live healthy lives while significantly reducing the risk of transmission.
He highlighted the global treatment concept known as “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable” (U=U), noting that patients who adhere strictly to medication can reduce the virus in their system to undetectable levels, making sexual transmission impossible.
Hospital data shows that 184 new HIV cases were recorded in 2025, while about 104 additional cases had already been identified by mid-2026.
Mr Efa-Quayson said the figures suggest that new infections remain a public health concern, underscoring the need for sustained awareness campaigns and regular testing.
He also revealed that more than 5,500 people were on HIV treatment in the region by the end of 2025, with the number rising to approximately 6,087 in the first half of 2026 due to new enrolments.
He noted that the actual number of people living with HIV may be higher, as some individuals who defaulted on treatment for more than three months are no longer captured in the active treatment register.
The ART Unit In-Charge, Madam Evelyn Apusiga, also urged the public to take personal responsibility for HIV testing, describing it as a simple but vital step in health management.
“The message we have for everybody is simple: Know your status. HIV is real, and it is everywhere,” she said.
She stressed that HIV affects people regardless of age, gender, occupation or social status, urging all individuals to get tested regularly.
Madam Apusiga also dispelled myths surrounding the disease, emphasizing that an HIV-positive diagnosis is no longer a death sentence due to advances in treatment.
“HIV is not a death sentence. What is more harmful is the stigma and discrimination people living with HIV often face,” she said, adding that consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy enables patients to live long and productive lives comparable to the general population.
