TOPP pledges assistance to staff infected with HIV/AIDS

Twifo Ntafrewaso(CR), Dec. 1, GNA - Management of Twifo-Oil Palm Plantation (TOPP) on Saturday, pledged to retain and assist any employee infected with HIV/AIDS.

It therefore encouraged the employees to take advantage of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre (VCT) established at its premises to know their HIV/AIDS status. Dr Cyril Kwame Krah, Resident Medical Advisor at TOPP, announced this at a workers' durbar to mark World AIDS Day celebration, under the theme "Leadership Reducing HIV Stigma and Discrimination", at Twifo Ntafrewaso.

He pledged the commitment of management to uphold the dignity and respect the rights of employees and their families infected by the disease and warned against any discrimination or stigmatization of HIV/AIDS victims in the company. Dr Krah pointed out, that the company was "a socially responsible corporate organisation" committed to fight the stigma and discrimination against People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWA) were often subjected to and make the work place very conducive and friendly to infected patients. He said about 130 identified groups, made up of 12,497 persons, have been sensitized this year on the need to undertake VCT and against stigmatization and discrimination. About 1,925 persons were counselled, out of which 1,011 were tested and 50 people found to be HIV positive at the centre and 17 others tested positive during a mobile VCT exercise. According to Dr Krah, so far, about 49,597 persons had been sensitized to undertake VCT, 4,398 counselled, out of which 2,551 were tested and 130 found to be HIV positive, since establishment of the VCT centre in 2005.

He said 23 out of 54 people including employees and non employees of the company in the neighbouring communities had been trained as peer counsellors to assist the VCT centre. Dr Krah, said there had been 120 follow-up visits to PLWA in 32 communities, to assess their needs with the support of the trained peer educators and counsellors.

He commended management of Family Health International, World Vision Ghana, Rural Health Alliance and Ghana Health Service for their support in the fight against the disease. Mr Samuel Agyeibie-Kessie, Twifo-Hemang Lower Denkyira District Chief Executive, in an address said Government through Ghana Aids Commission and District AIDS Committee, released GH¢140,600 between 2002 and 2008 to implementing partners in the HIV/AIDS campaign, particularly, against discrimination and stigmatization. He commended management of TOPP, World Vision Ghana, and Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) for their contribution in the crusade against stigmatization and discrimination and urged politicians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and public and civil servants to collaborate with stakeholders to reduce the pandemic. Twelve peer educators and counsellors were rewarded for their commitment to duty. 01 Dec. 08