The Network of Persons Living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is strongly urging the incoming Mahama administration to prioritise their needs by eliminating import taxes on antiretroviral medications.

Earlier this year, people living with HIV in Ghana faced a severe shortage of life-saving drugs, as containers of medications were stuck at the ports for months. This was due to the outgoing government's insistence that donors pay import duties on health commodities.

In an interview with JoyNews, Emmanuella Akosua Coffie, president of the Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation of Ghana expressed optimism that such awareness initiatives could help eradicate stigma by 2030.

“HIV stigma and discrimination have been evident for a number of years, and in fact, it’s been a silent battle. You would realise that most people are taking their lives, a lot of suicide cases are coming up, and it’s becoming alarming because it’s a mental battle.

"So, it’s something that we can bring out for people to understand that it is not a death sentence; it is not the end of your life. So, if you are able to understand what it entails, and how you can get better, people should know that you are not different from the rest of society. We are hoping that by 2030, stigma and discrimination, HIV/AIDS, will be completely alleviated,” she noted on Saturday, December 14.

In addition, Mr. Richard Agodzo, the youth coordinator for the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV, urged the incoming Mahama administration to address the import tax barriers on antiretroviral drugs. He highlighted how taxes on these drugs make them expensive.

• Read also: 50 people get infected with HIV each day in Ghana – AIDS Commission

“Although the Global Fund gives us the medications for free, the taxes surrounding these medications are unbearable. If you are receiving something for free, why should there be taxes like the ECOWAS tax and AU tax surrounding this before these medications are released from the port?” he queried.

Some participants at the event also shared their thoughts afterward, advising patients to be more confident and seek medical advice.