KATH records increases in HIV/AIDS

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi records 250 new cases of HIV every month, authorities say.

Dr. Francis Agyeman Yeboah, a lecturer at the School of Medical Science (SMS) at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said 2,500 new cases of HIV were recorded at the hospital between January and October this year.

Dr. Yeboah was addressing members of the TEK Credit Union at KNUST at an HIV/AIDS awareness forum on Wednesday.

He said the increasing rate at which the disease was spreading called for concerted efforts of all Ghanaians to combat it.

Dr Yeboah advised parents to educate their children on the dangers of the disease to prevent them from contracting it.

Professor Henry Nii Wellington, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University said efforts by government and University authorities to train manpower requirements of the country would go waste, if strenuous efforts were not made to curtail the spread of the disease.

He said the University authorities were concerned about the spread of the disease and cautioned members of the University community to be careful of their sexual behaviour to avoid contracting the disease.

Mr Benneh Diawuo, a member of Co-operative Credit Union HIV/AIDS campaign team, attributed the continued spread of the disease in the Ashanti Region, to unprotected sexual activities, poverty and stigmatisation.

He called on couples to be faithful to their partners and the youth to abstain from illicit sex.

Mr F.K. Nsowaah, President of TEK Credit Union, said the time has come for co-operatives to wage a relentless war against the spread of the disease.