Nkoranza St. Theresa Catholic Hospital records 491 HIV/AIDS cases

Bonsu, (B/A), Aug. 19, GNA - Saint Theresa's Catholic Hospital in Nkoranza recorded 491 persons living with HIV/AIDS in Nkoranza district from the year 2000 to June this year.

Mr Amofa Boateng, Acting District Director of Health Services disclosed this at the launch of a 10-member HIV/AIDS campaign volunteer team at Bonsu, a farming community.

He said 129 cases were identified in 2000, 150 in 2001, 138 in 2002 and 74 in 2003, adding that females outnumbered males in all the cases. The District Director said persons aged from 25 to 35 were the most affected and urged the district volunteers to redouble efforts to educate individuals, groups and associations to guard against the pandemic.

Mr Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, District Chief Executive, expressed regret that in spite of the massive campaign against the spread of the pandemic, the youth were still engaged in promiscuous behaviours and called for a change in sexual habits.

He stressed that the Government, very much concerned about the health of all citizens had released huge sums of money through Ghana AIDS Commission to carry out with the educational campaign.

The DCE advised people not to discriminate against people living with the pandemic "as no one knows his or her future".