The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has launched a web-based system known as the Ghana Key Population Unique Identification System (GKPUIS), to improve data process for Key Population (KP) programmes in Ghana.
The GKPUIS, which is a unique and home-grown national electronic HIV database system, was developed in partnership with WestBlue Consulting, an IT consulting and technology firm, using advanced technology that also ensures a secured centralised system.
Its unique features include the generation of unique identification Codes (UIC) based on the predefined system to uniquely identify each KP community member, and the ability to minimise double counting.
Dr Mokowah Blay Adu-Gyamfi, the Presidential Advisor on HIV and AIDS, in her opening statement at the launch in in Accra on Tuesday, commended the GAC and WestBlue Consulting for the great achievement through hard work.
She said the GKPUIS, which would go a long way to support the generation of summarised reports for various programmatic indicators, and announced that the development of the GKPUIS was fully funded by the Government of Ghana, with PEPFAR also funding the Training of Trainers for KP Implementing Partners.
Mr Alexander Abban, the Deputy Minister of Health, commended the GAC and its partners for the partnership, saying, the development of the GKPUIS would contribute in no small way in ensuring that high quality data was captured in a unique manner.
He said the Ministry was confident that all KP Organisations would find the system useful in capturing the required data for policy formulation and service provision both in Ghana and beyond.
Mr Mark Addo, the Chief Executive Officer of WestBlue Consulting, said Ghana was at the forefront of using such technologies, with India and Morocco having achieved similar, and that the country’s achievement sets the pace for the emulation of like-minded countries, and hoped.
Dr Michael Melchior, the Country Director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Ghana, commended Ghana for the credible steps to ensure the attainment of the UNAIDS target of 90-90-90, with the aim to diagnose 90 per cent of all HIV-positive persons, provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) for 90 per cent of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression for 90 per cent of those treated by 2020.
