They noted that, unlike in the past, when HIV was seen as a death sentence, times have changed, and medication is available for patients to live long and not infect others.

Maame Esi and Nii Nai (pseudonyms), a Mentor Mother and a Model of Hope, respectively, both HIV-reactive persons, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview, noted that it was important that when diagnosed with the disease, people should accept their status and allow the health officials to put them on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). They noted that this would enable Ghana to reach the goal of putting at least 95 per cent of positive patients on the ART to help also to achieve viral suppression.

Nii Nai revealed that he has stayed with the disease for the past 22 years and has never felt ill, an indication that the drugs, when taken religiously, build the immune system of the patients.

He said he knows a lot of people, including traditional leaders, pastors, and other professionals who are positive but are looking well and showing no signs of the virus because they religiously take their medications.
He added that it is possible to achieve viral suppression, revealing that he sometimes receives negative HIV test results because of the medications, which has made it possible for him to reach the undetectable stage.

"When you accept yourself and take the medications, you will be accepted. I have not been sick since I started taking my drugs; my life is the ARTS."

Maame Esi reiterated the importance of the ARTS to the survival of HIV-reactive persons, stating that she had been on the drugs since 2004 after testing positive during her first pregnancy.
She disclosed that because she was immediately put on the drugs when diagnosed, she did not pass on the disease to her children and, over the years, gave birth to an additional four children who are all negative.

"I am encouraging all patients, especially HIV-positive pregnant women, to take their medications. I have lived with HIV for 21 years and have never been sick, thanks to the medicines," she said.

She further stated that "HIV is not a disease; I see it like a sister staying with me; therefore, I just have to do what is expected of me, and I will always be fine."
She encouraged people living with HIV not to let stigma prevent them from taking their medications, disclosing that "I have grown beyond stigma; now I even take my medications in Trotro. It is still in the container with its inscription, but I do not mind because I know my status, and the medicine is what has helped me survive."

They encouraged the public to test and know their status, as that is the only way to know their status and protect themselves and their loved ones.

Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade