GSA calls for support for research into herbal medicine

Kumasi, Aug 12, GNA - The Ghana Science Association (GSA) on Tuesday called for support from the government and co-operate bodies for scientists in educational institutions to research into herbal preparations that have efficacy in treating symptomatic diseases associated with HIV/AIDS.

The Association said it is in the interest of the country to support a body like theirs that offers a forum for interaction of scientists of all disciplines that government could fall on for advice and also for scientific research into specific problems. These were contained in a resolution adopted by the GSA at the end of its five-day 23rd Biennial Conference at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The Association said despite the many interventions and educational measures to curb the spread of HIV, the general trend is still upwards and said the GSA will continue to work assiduously to augment measures being pursued by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) and other agencies. The resolution welcomed the offer by the Director General of GAC to the Association for its representation on the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Committees of the Commission, in view of the more active role it wants to play in pursuing its research objectives.

It said to help solve the problem of stigmatisation the Association recommends the repackaging of the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign and that in view of the connection between female genital mutilation and the transmission of HIV/AIDS, the campaign to abolish it should be intensified.

In recognising the great challenge and responsibility on the scientists the association appealed to the government to fund the training of scientists and undertaking of research to give practical meaning to the slogan of making science and technology the bedrock of national development.