Government asked to camp PLWHA

Jirapa (UW/R), March 18, GNA - The current focus on showing compassion, care and support for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the education and awareness creation programmes of the pandemic, does not seem to be going on well with some people .

Mr Tangara Naaso, an opinion leader in Jirapa in the Upper West Region on Wednesday suggested to the government to set up camps for people living with the disease as an appropriate way of checking them from infecting other people with the virus.

Speaking during a meeting between the Regional Minister, Mr Ambrose Dery and the chiefs and elders of the Jirapa Traditional Area, Mr Naaso claimed that seven girls from his household died through the disease. "AIDS has killed seven daughters from my house and if that continues, I would not have any grandchild. Government should therefore, construct separate homes for those having the disease as a way of stopping them to from infecting others".

Mr Dery, who was on a working visit to the Jirapa/Lambussie District, explained that even if all those living with the disease could be identified, that method could not bring a dignified and effective way of preventing the spread of the pandemic.

He assured the people that the government would never interfere in chieftaincy disputes but would also, however, not watch unconcerned for parties to any dispute to resort to violence as a solution, because competent institutions such as the judicial committees of the houses of chiefs were in place to handle such cases.

The Jirapa skin is one of the seven vacant skins in the region that is yet to be occupied, although unlike others, it was not known to be under any form of litigation with regard to its succession. He educated them on the necessity for the recent increase in prices of petroleum products, saying, the removal of the subsidies would free more funds for development projects and also stop smuggling of the products to neighbouring countries.

Mr Dery advised them to educate their people to subscribe to the National Health Insurance Scheme as it was being introduced to replace the cash and carry system, which was a hindrance to quality health care delivery in the country.

The Acting President of the Jirapa Traditional Council, Ullo Naa Alhaji Amadu Seidu congratulated Mr Dery on his appointment and said they were looking forward to a very good working relationship with him.