WAAF to Carry Out HIV Testing At Ayawaso

The West Africa Aids Foundation (WAAF) has received ?257 million from Barclays Bank, distributed by the Ghana Aids Commission, for HIV/AIDS testing, care and support.

A press release from WAAF said the funds will be used to promote voluntary HIV testing, particularly targeted at youth, and will provide dietary and nutritional training and counselling for people living with AIDS.

It said voluntary testing and counselling will take place in various community locations in the Ayawaso District in the Greater Accra Region. The latest statistics confirm that the transmission rate is on the rise with over 100 new cases reported every day.

Some of the benefits of getting tested include:

*Promotion of early management of opportunistic infection (OI)

* Reduces stigma

* Facilitates behavioural change towards HIV/AIDS

* Reduces mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)

* Entry point to prevention and care.

WAAF said it will provide incentives for people to go out and get tested, such as free tickets to music concerts, soccer matches and a beach picnic.

The Foundation also announced that its medical treatment team is in place. Dr. N. Vanderpuye, Director of the clinic, will lead an experienced team of doctors, specialized HIV/AIDS medical consultants, nurses, a social worker, pharmacist,

occupational therapist, physical therapist, and dietician in providing a holistic approach to treatment and care for people living with AIDS.

The clinic is equipped with a pharmacy, treatment room, lab and 20 patient wards, which have the capacity to treat 150 patients each day. Patients are treated with immune boosters, anti-retrovirals such as Reverse Transcriptase and Protease Inhibitors.

The clinic is open to the general public through community outreach programs and a home based care unit.