Ghanaians urged to face challenges of HIV/AIDS

Koforidua, July 19, GNA - The Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of the National AIDS Control Programme, Dr Sampson Ofori, had observed that the HIV/AIDS disease would be staying with human society for a long time to come and therefore, called on all to brace themselves up to face the challenges posed by the disease. Dr Ofori, who was reacting to an accusation from some People Living With the HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) that, some health workers had been discriminating against them said the Ghana Health Service (GHS) was aware and so had started a training programme for health staff. He said so far, over 170 health staff had been retrained to

enable them to overcome the problem of stigmatisation and


discrimination, when it came to the handling and treatment of


patients suffering form the disease. Dr Ofori was speaking at a one-day workshop on the proper


formation and functioning of PLWHA associations and support


groups in the Eastern Region in Koforidua on Tuesday. The workshop, which was organized by the Eastern


Regional Co-ordinating Council (ERCC) with support from the


Multi-Sectoral AIDS Programme (MSHAP), was attended by


PLWHAs, District Focal Persons, District HIV/AIDS


Co-ordinators, representatives of HIV/AIDS support groups and

members of the Eastern Regional HIV/AIDS Committee. Dr Ofori reminded them that the disease was not a


respecter of persons, saying, "all manner of people are dying


from the disease including health staff." He advised HIV/AIDS patients on drugs to avoid defaulting


in taking their prescriptions, explaining that, such neglect made


the virus to develop resistance to the drugs, which would make


the future control of the disease very difficult. Dr Ofori explained that it was not all people suffering from


the disease that had to be placed on the anti-retroviral drugs,


because for one to be on the drug, the resistance cells of the


fellow should not be below level 250. He explained that one of the important requirements for

placing an HIV/AIDS patient on the anti-retroviral drug was for


the patient to have a monitor, who could support the patient


when he or she became weak after the taking of the drug.


The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Susana Mensah,


called on PLWHAs not to feel disgraced but brace themselves


up to live positive lives to stay longer and take good care of their


children. She said the constitution of the country did not allow


anybody to be discriminated against and that all citizens of the


country had equal rights. The PLWHAs were therefore urged to come together to

fight against stigmatisation and discrimination in any form. Ms Mensah described HIV/AIDS as "just like any other


disease", saying, there were diseases, which were killing people


faster and more than HIV/AIDS and therefore, if such people


could openly talk about the disease they were suffering from,


then it should be possible for HIV/AIDS patients to also openly


talk about their disease to stop the discrimination and


stigmatisation against them. The Eastern Regional Director of Medical Service, Dr


Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, advised PLWHAs to be


courageous and pursue economic activities, which would help

them improve upon their financial situations to enable them take


good care of themselves. He advised them to register with the National Health


Insurance Schemes to enable them take advantage of the


financial support offered by the schemes. The Eastern Regional Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, Ms Golda


Asante, advised PLWHA to form associations to enable them


benefit from the various support programmes and explained that


most of the organization supporting the PLWHAs prefer to deal


with groups than individuals.