Get tested before commitment: UG medical expert warns against trusting partner claims on HIV status

A senior medical professional at the University of Ghana has issued a stark warning to Ghanaians seeking to enter new relationships: do not rely on your partner's word about their HIV status, and take charge of your own health by getting tested independently.

Dr. Clementine Odei, Head of Unit at the University of Ghana Medical School Clinic, made the appeal during a recent public health advocacy, emphasising that individuals beginning relationships should insist that both they and their partners undergo HIV testing. She stressed the importance of personal verification rather than accepting verbal assurances, particularly when partners claim to have recently tested negative.

"Don't trust anybody," Dr. Odei said bluntly, highlighting the dangers of complacency in the early stages of romantic relationships. Her message cuts through common social norms where couples may avoid discussing sexual health openly, creating gaps in critical health communication.

Free testing available at government facilities

A significant barrier to HIV prevention in Ghana has traditionally been access and cost. Dr. Odei highlighted that this excuse no longer holds water, pointing out that HIV testing is completely free at all government hospitals across the country.

"If you walk to any government hospital and you want to check HIV, you don't pay for anything," she stated, removing a common financial obstacle that may have previously deterred Ghanaians from getting tested. This accessibility makes it easier for individuals to take proactive steps in protecting their health without financial burden.

The emphasis on government facilities also reflects Ghana's commitment to universal health access as part of broader public health initiatives. With free testing widely available, Dr. Odei's message becomes even more urgent: there is no legitimate reason for Ghanaians to enter relationships without knowing their status and confirming their partner's status through independent verification.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana continues to grapple with HIV transmission, and relationship-based transmission remains a significant pathway for new infections. According to public health data, many Ghanaians contract HIV within apparently monogamous or stable relationships, often due to lack of disclosure, infidelity, or initial unknowing transmission from an untested partner.

Dr. Odei's intervention addresses a critical gap in Ghana's HIV prevention strategy: the individual empowerment to take health decisions into one's own hands rather than depending on partner honesty or cultural norms that discourage sexual health discussions. By normalising HIV testing as a standard part of relationship formation—similar to how many Western countries frame it—Ghana can reduce new infections and contribute to the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat.

The message also reflects a broader shift in Ghana's health communication towards individual agency and personal responsibility. Rather than relying solely on national campaigns or government distribution of antiretrovirals, Dr. Odei is calling for grassroots behavioural change at the couple level.

For young Ghanaians especially, integrating HIV testing into relationship milestones could become normalised over time, reducing stigma and creating a culture where sexual health discussion is routine rather than taboo. This cultural shift, supported by the practical availability of free testing, has the potential to significantly impact Ghana's HIV epidemiology in the coming years.