Christians urged to support people living with HIV/AIDS

Abesim (B/A), Sept. 26, GNA - Mrs Agyeiwaa Ampim, Principal Midwifery Officer of the Sunyani Municipal Hospital, at the weekend, expressed concern about the alarming proportion at which HIV/AIDS is spreading among pregnant girls in the municipality. She said public stigmatization and discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS was a major contributory factor to the rapid spread of the deadly disease in the municipality.

The Principal Midwifery Officer gave the advice, when she addressed members of the Abesim central of the Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic and Presbyterian churches at separate health talks, after their routine services at Abesim, near Sunyani. Mrs. Ampim advised Christians to support and show kindness to people living with HIV/AIDS.

She explained that because of public discrimination and the myth surrounding HIV/AIDS, victims regarded themselves as outcasts and they resolved to spread the disease. She said voluntary counselling and testing on the disease was still free of charge and advised those who did not know their status to check.

The principal midwifery officer said HIV/AIDS "does not respect persons", and advised Christians to eschew all forms of sexual immorality and allow the teachings of God to reflect in their social lives.

Mrs. Ampim said it was a mandatory responsibility for Christians to seek and promote the total well-being of the vulnerable in society.

She exhorted members of the churches to spread the information about the disease to their relatives and friends, in order to help save lives. Mrs. Ampim advised victims of the disease to seek regular medical attention to live long.

Mr Stephen Owusu Aduomire, Chairman of the Afforestation Brigade said hairdressers, association of beauticians and other religious groupings benefited from similar periodic talks.

He said aside its main objectives of helping to regain the country's depleted forest, the CBO also embarked on health and other programmes that help to improve on the lives of the people. Mr Aduomire said the NGO had arranged relief items for victims of HIV/AIDS, to enable them to access regular medication and gave the assurance that their confidentiality were properly preserved. 26 Sept. 10