July 11, 2024, Accra: The West Africa Program to Combat AIDS and STI (WAPCAS) and its partners have inaugurated Ghana’s first harm reduction centre in the Awutu Senya East District, Kasoa.
The centre, known as the Drop-in Centre (DIC), is the first of several planned to be established across the country to provide harm reduction services to people who use/inject drugs (PWUD) and people living with HIV (PLHIV). The initiative is a result of extensive research and evidence gathering to meet the needs of the community with funding from the Global Fund GC7 Project.
The centre will be overseen by health practitioners who will manage the day-to-day activities assisted by project officers and distribute essential items such as sanitary pads, condoms, syringes, and other materials. Additional services will include counselling, health check-ups, and educational programmes aimed at promoting safer practices, information on HIV/AIDS, STIs, overdose prevention and improving overall health. These services are modelled after similar centres across the globe, with a high success rate.
Ghana is currently prioritising the provision of Naloxone to manage overdoses and offering Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST). The country has identified key areas, including Accra, Kumasi, and the Western Region, to provide Harm Reduction services. The Drop-in Centres will serve as central locations where People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) can access basic health services and support.
The launch event was attended by representatives from the Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC), UNAIDS, WHO, Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), and civil society. Dr Stephen Ayisi-Addo, Programme Manager at the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), delivered a keynote address, emphasising the critical role of the centre in addressing the health needs of key populations.
During the launch, Mrs Comfort Asamoah-Adu, Executive Director of WAPCAS, urged community members to adhere to safety guidelines and take the programme seriously in order to fully benefit from it. This will help drive the success of the programme and its extension to other communities and beyond. "This centre is a beacon of hope for many who have felt marginalised. We are here to offer support and ensure that everyone receives the care they need," said Mrs Asamoah-Adu.
A community member "Kwame" [not his name], who has been using drugs for over a decade, shared his remarks: "We are grateful to WAPCAS and its partners for providing us with the necessary support. This centre gives us a chance to get medical care and learn how to protect ourselves. It's a lifeline for many of us."
The establishment of this centre marks a significant step forward in Ghana’s efforts to provide comprehensive health services to marginalised groups. Plans are already underway for the establishment of additional centres across the country, with a goal to have at least one centre in each major district. These centres aim to reduce the health risks associated with drug use and improve the quality of life for many individuals.
With ongoing support and engagement from the community, the Drop-in Centre is expected to have a profound impact, promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the stigma associated with drug use and HIV. Community members are encouraged to take full advantage of the services offered to ensure the long-term success and expansion of the programme.
Pictures from the inaugural launch of the Drop-in Centre in Ghana, Kasoa. Credit: Michael Kumordzi Tetteh.
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