Shun cultural practices that promote HIV/AIDS- Health Director

Lawra (U/W), Feb. 13, GNA- Miss Melany Bokuma, Lawra District Director of Health Services has appealed to Ghanaians to do away with cultural practices that could spread the HIV/AIDS.

Speaking at the launch of the Lawra district HIV/AIDS activities, at Lawra, organized by the District AIDS committee, Miss Bokuma said the stoppage of such practices would go a long way in enhancing the health status of families and communities.

She mentioned some of the practices as inheritance of widows of deceased relatives, female circumcision and polygamy.

Miss Bokuma said out of 959 blood donors in the district last year, 82 of the donors were found to be HIV positive after screening. She added that out of 117 males who were clinically screened at the Nandom and Lawra hospitals, 60 of them were HIV positive.

Launching the activities, Mr Sylvanus Ganfaa, Lawra District Chief Executive called on the six community based organizations in the district to observe and practice safe lives.

They should either, abstain, be faithful to their sexual partners or use condom to prevent contracting the disease.

The DCE appealed to the people to register and pay for their premiums in order to benefit from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Mr Bayel Michael, Lawra District HIV/AIDS focal person appealed to Community-Based Organisations (CBOS) to justify financial support given them for their activities by ensuring effective HIV/AIDS education.