Asamankese Government Hospital records 87 Aids cases

Miss Sarah Donkor, a Senior Nursing Officer at Asamankese Government Hospital, at the weekend said it has recorded 87 AIDS cases since 1999.

She gave the breakdown figures as 19 in 1999, 18 in 2000, 32 in 2001 and 18 between January and June this year.

Miss Donkor was speaking at a durbar of Chiefs and people of Akanteng as part of this year's World Aids Day campaign in the West Akyem District.

She said at least 230 people in the country contracted the disease daily and called on individuals and organisations to assist government in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Miss Donkor said victims should not be stigmatised or condemned because apart from sex, the disease could be acquired through blood transfusion and other means.

She, therefore, appealed to individuals, family members and religious bodies to show love and compassion for people infested with HIV/AIDS.

Mr Umar Amoah, West Akyem District Chief Executive, advised Ghanaians to initiate pragmatic measures at preventing the spread of the disease and not to over-rely on condom because it could fail.

He warned the youth against sexual promiscuity and asked married couples to be faithful to their partners since there was no known cure to HIV/AIDS.