HIV infections are increasing in the Tano North Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region, report from the St John of God Hospital, the largest health facility in the Municipality has revealed.

Statistics shows that the Municipality recorded 184 percent increase in HIV infections in 2018, says Mrs Eva Aryee, the Tano North Municipal Director of Health.

Speaking at the 2018 annual performance review meeting at Duayaw-Nkwanta, on the theme “attaining universal health coverage through effective leadership and governance”, Mrs Aryee advised the people to guard against unprotected sex to minimise the spread of the disease.

The review meeting provided a platform to discuss the progress made, the challenges and the way forward, to enhance the quality of health care delivery in the area.

Mrs Aryee expressed discomfort at the rapid spread of HIV, and called for concerted efforts for intensified HIV/AIDS education in the municipality.

That notwithstanding, she said the Municipality made some successes as immunisation against yellow fever and measles achieved 95 percent coverage, while the distribution of long-lasting mosquito treated nets was also successful.

Mrs Aryee mentioned lack of vehicles, and motorbikes as some major challenges facing the directorate, and appealed for support.

She said due to the lack of transport, it was becoming extremely difficult for health workers to carry out health outreach programmes in hard-to-reach communities.

Mr Ernest Kwarteng, the Tano North Municipal Chief Executive, commended the health directorate for the deepened collaboration with other key stakeholders in the municipality, and hoped that civil society actors in the area would help to provide quality healthcare services to the people.

Dr Kofi Issah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, advised health workers and staff of the directorate to work in accordance with the core values of the Service.

Source: GNA