US Department of Defense supports GAF

The United States Department of Defense AIDS Prevention Programme (DHAPP) on Tuesday presented family planning instruments, laboratory reagents and nutritional support items worth $22,000 to the 37 Military Hospital.

Forty Mantoux Test Kits, five Basolyse II, one Instrumental trolley, two Diagnostic Pen Lights, 20 metal cuscus specula (medium), 10 metal cuscus specula (large) and 30 sponge holding forceps are included in the presentation.

The rest are 10 Gallipot plastics (150mm-1000ml), 10 Kocher artery forceps, 10 instrument trays with covers, 10 Kidney dishes with covers, 12 cartoons of Hobnob biscuits, 30 cartons of Ensure Nutripack, 12 cartons of Milo, 10 bags of baby diaper, and 110 cartons of adult diaper.

Lieutenant Colonel John F. Van Steenburgh, Chief Officer of Security Co-operation, US Embassy, said currently DHAPP had engaged the services of Jhpiego Ghana, a non-governmental organisation with experience in AIDS/HIV programming, to support the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) HIV Program.

He said DHAPP, funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) had collaborated with GAF for the past 10 years, supporting with the implementation of military specific HIV prevention, care and treatment programmes.

“We are proud to be able to present to the GAF HIV Control Programme meant to make the lives of people living with HIV a little more comfortable, especially those on admission in this hospital,” he said.

Col. Dr. Ralph Ametepi, Commandant, 37 Military Hospital, who received the items, said the ceremony was a testimony of a fruitful collaboration with the American Embassy through PEPFAR.

He expressed his gratitude and assured the Office of the Security Co-operation of making good use of the items to help take care of HIV/AIDS patients.