Tarkwa(W/R), Dec. 04, GNA - Mrs Mary Addison Fynn, Executive Director of Hope for All Foundation (HOFA), a Tarkwa-based NGO, has advised Ghanaians not to shun people living with HIV/AIDS but rather treat them with love and care. She said this would help prevent the stigmatization associated with people living with the disease.
Mrs Fynn gave the advice at a durbar to mark this year's World AIDS Day celebration at Tarkwa at the weekend. The theme for the celebration was, "Stop AIDS Keep The Promise. The Time To Act Is Now". Available statistics indicate that about 42 million people globally are living with HIV/AIDS with 29.4 million of them from Sub-Saharan Africa.
An estimated 3.1 million people die of HIV/AIDS annually, of which 2.4 of the death are recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, statistics from 2005 survey showed a decline in the prevalent rate from 3.1 per cent in 2004 to 2.7 in 2005. The report showed a decline in the infection rate among the 15 to 24 years group for three continues years from 3.5 per cent in 2002 to 1.9 per cent in 2005.
The most affected region in Ghana is Eastern Region with 4.7 per cent prevalent rate whiles Northern Region has the lowest prevalent rate of 1.2 per cent, Western Region is fourth with 2.9 per cent prevalent rate. Mrs Fynn said though the national prevalence rate had dropped, nevertheless Western Region still had high prevalence rate mostly in Wassa West District. She therefore, called for concerted efforts from all and sundry to ensure that the rate of infection was reduced. Mrs Fynn said the Foundation had assisted people living with HIV/AIDS with Anti Retroviral drugs and transportation to hospitals. 04 Dec. 06
