Should Ghana Test Returnees From South Africa? Debate Explodes Online

[00:00:00]As Ghana continue to evacuate citizens from South Africa, a serious debate has started growing online.

[00:00:15]>> [music] >> And that is because some Ghanaian voices are calling on Ghanaian authorities to introduce health screening measures for returnees. Not just health screening, but HIV testing.

[00:00:49]Supporters of the call point out to South Africa's HIV statistics.

[00:01:03]But critics say that the discussion raise stigma, fear, and unfair assumptions. So, what exactly is driving this debate and what do the fact really say? My name is Filimon Kweku Owusu Ansah, I'm a online journalist and this is Kweku Africa Media. Watch the full [music] video on YouTube. Now, let's unpack the story.

[00:01:22]>> Guys, if you've enjoyed this video so far, please do me a huge favor and hit the like button, subscribe. These videos take quite a long time to make, so if you could help me out, I'll love you forever. Thank you all for your support.

[00:01:37]Now, let's get back to this crazy story.

[00:01:42]>> [music] [singing] [music] [music] [music] >> So, Ghana is seriously repatriating its citizens from South Africa. In fact, the first batch of 300 Ghanaians arrived Is it this week? Yeah, I think this week.

[00:02:13]Now, 300. Now, Ghana is actively putting together and [music] registering for the next batch to come, which the government has also now chartered double flights.

[00:02:22]So, there will be two chartered flights, >> [music] >> which will be carrying approximately 610 Ghanaians from South Africa back into Ghana. But as the evacuation goes on and the people who comes are so happy, there is a new video trending online. And that is because social media users are urging government authorities, [music] including President John Dramani Mahama's administration, to consider health screening protocol for returnees.

[00:02:45][music] Now, there's already a health screening protocol for them. They screen them of Ebola and other diseases, but this one is not part. [music] Now, among the argument being made, some people specifically reference South Africa's HIV burden, and their position is that the government should take a precautionary public health [music] approach, arguing that conversations like this must be handled carefully to avoid stigma and broad generalizations.

[00:03:15]>> [music] >> Um at Mother Hospital baby >> because the fact so much in South Africa the possibilities of HIV positive may high South Africa South Africa Now check up because South Africa hospital check up HIV test >> [music] [snorts] >> hospital the government check up government of Ghana especially when we South Africa South Africa the possibility HIV positive in the new world my government of Ghana South Africa HIV [music] test >> [music] >> HIV but HIV positive HIV HIV HIV HIV positive [music] >> Now, this is why some people are making the argument. So, the people are saying that the answer is connected to public health data. In fact, South Africa is widely recognized as one of the countries most affected by HIV and AIDS globally. [music] According to international public health estimates, around 7.8 to 8 million people in South Africa are living with HIV and AIDS. Adult HIV prevalence among people age 15 to 49 has been estimated around 17% in recent data. Now, [music] that is one reason some online voices say that authorities should consider screening measures during organized repatriation program. But, here is an important [music] distinction.

[00:06:32]Population statistics about the country do not automatically tell us anything about specific individuals or returnees, and [music] that is where much of the disagreement begins. Now, the database also raises a broader question that what health protocols should government use during organized evacuations or large-scale return programs. In fact, some believe that structured health screening can be a reasonable component of repatriation [music] logistics. Others also emphasize medical ethics, privacy, scientific accuracy, voluntary testing, and to avoid stigma, public health experts often stress that HIV and AIDS conversations should focus on education, testing access, treatment, prevention, and respectful communication. And because health issues carry strong emotions, this discussion [music] has quickly become controversial.

[00:07:34]Ghana is going to be Ghana forever.

[00:07:38]Sometimes I can't make out what he is saying.

[00:07:41]Say yeah, peace of mind riches are more than cash.

[00:07:45]>> [music] >> To even get peace of mind Meaning say Ghana is peaceful. [music] Most of you have traveled outside and of course South Africa for you to say South Africa That's how they say HIV And you want hospital to check up HIV check [music] up any STDs HPV check it But they may be I just want to check up I say HIV D >> [music] >> The lady is telling the truth.

[00:08:49]I'm going to check up. Every single South Africa Think you should HIV because according South Africa HIV South Africa HIV you'll be I'm so can you >> [music] [music] [music] >> Hi guys, let's talk HIV test.

[00:10:33]So I've seen a couple of videos of people complaining that when they go to public clinics and public hospitals, they're forced to do HIV test. I want to tell you why we would say go do an HIV test.

[00:10:45]First things first, guys, you are not forced. It's your right to say no. You can say no if you don't want to do the HIV test. But remember [music] when I say go do an HIV test, it's not for me. It's for your own benefit.

[00:10:56]>> [music] >> So I'm going to give you a couple of examples to as to why we would say go do an HIV test. Maybe you'll understand it better if [music] I say it with examples.

[00:11:04]>> [snorts] >> The first The first example would be you come in [music] with an STI.

[00:11:09]When you come in with an STI, it signals [music] that you are not using protection. So it means you are having unprotected sex. Remember one of the mode of transmission to HIV is through unprotected sex. So if you have an STI, it means that you are not using protection. So you are at a higher risk of contracting HIV. Right?

[00:11:30]Um the second example would be let's say you come with shingles. When you have shingles, most of the time, I'm not saying everyone who has shingles is HIV positive, don't get me wrong. Most of the time when you have shingles, >> [snorts] >> they go together with HIV.

[00:11:46]So, if you come with shingles and then we say go test, you refuse. We give you treatment for shingles, but you are indeed HIV positive. It means we are not treating the root cause of the problem. So, it means we are only treating you half. We're not doing you any justice by just giving you >> [snorts] >> treatment for the shingles because the root cause is what is HIV.

[00:12:07]All right? So, we're not going to force you. If you don't want to do it, it's fine. But, the thing my thing now is that you're going to come back and when you come back, you're going to come back more sick than you are now, you know?

[00:12:18]And then I saw another comment, someone saying they'll even tell you to do an HIV test when you're only there for family planning.

[00:12:26]Yes, when you're there for family planning, if you're there for Depo, if you're there for oral pills, if you're there for Neristerate, whatever you're getting, most of the time people who take family planning like I would Depo, pills and all those, they're not using condoms, right? You're not using condom with your partner. So, you're trying to prevent what? Pregnancy, right? So, if you're not using condom, it means you're doing what? If you're not using condom, it means you're you're doing what?

[00:12:52]Having unprotected sex.

[00:12:54]If you're having unprotected sex, it goes back to say you're at a high risk of contracting HIV. That's why I would say go get tested.

[00:13:02]And then another one would be someone would say I was there for a cough and then they sent me to do an HIV test.

[00:13:09]Guys, most people people most people with a strong immune system, they don't get sick for long. And sometimes their flu or whatever gets resolved without even taking medication.

[00:13:21]Yeah? People with a strong immune system. If you come to the clinic and I ask you the duration of your cough, you'll say maybe 2 weeks. Then I ask you, are you having unprotected sex? You saying yes with your partner.

[00:13:33]Then if they are married or not, if I say you are having unprotected sex and you say yes, signals, you know.

[00:13:40]Okay?

[00:13:41]Maybe that's why you are so sick because your immune system is weak. And then maybe let's say we say go test, you refuse, it's fine. Because you've been coughing for so long, we do a TB test and your TB test comes back positive.

[00:13:53]TB's an opportunistic infection.

[00:13:56]It means your immune system is weak. One of the things that can weaken your immune system is HIV.

[00:14:03]That's why we would say go do an HIV. So most of these diseases that we have, they boil down to HIV.

[00:14:09]Some they come Don't get me wrong. Some they come, you can get TB when you're HIV negative. You can get STI and you're HIV negative. You can get shingles and you're HIV negative.

[00:14:20]But there's also that that you can also get those things with HIV.

[00:14:27]And if your immune system is weak, it means any disease is going to just play on top of your head. So if we treat now the root cause, which is going to be HIV, it means your body is going to pick up, your immune system is going to be stronger. You won't have to come back to the clinic for shingles or see those flu that are failing, you know, because we've treated the root cause. So when we say go do an HIV test, guys, we're not saying that we want you to be positive. It's because we want to know if we're treating you holistically, if you are getting the right treatment and all the medication that you need. It doesn't help that we give you um What's that? Treatment for shingles without the HIV treatment if indeed you need the ARVs, you know.

[00:15:13]>> And now in Ghana and on social media, there is one debate, strong opinions, sensitive questions. Some argue precautionary screening makes sense, but others warn against assumptions and stigma. Now, what do you think? Should government of Ghana include broader health screening measures during organized repatriation effort, or should discussions like this be approached differently? What do you think? Do you think that those evacuated from South Africa, they should be given compulsory HIV and AIDS screening because South Africa is one of the countries with higher HIV and AIDS prevalence in the world? Or you think it doesn't matter?

[00:15:50]Everybody should be allowed to roam.

[00:15:51]Leave your comment in the comment section. So, that's all for today.