New anti-retroviral introduced for HIV/AIDS victims

Techiman (B/A), Sept. 3, GNA- A new anti-retroviral HIV/AIDS drug, "hypoplus", has been introduced in the country from South Africa, Mr S. Agyeman-Badu, Techiman District Assembly HIV/AIDS focal person announced on Monday.

He was addressing a one-day workshop for 25 peer educators on HIV/AIDS at Techiman in Brong Ahafo.

Mr Agyeman-Badu said the drug, which cost about 33,000 cedis per pack helps HIV patients to build their immune systems.

He, however, cautioned that the drug "does not cure the disease" and asked people to be wary of their sexual lifestyles.

The workshop organized by the Ghana Social Marketing Foundation (GSMF) and sponsored by the Techiman District Assembly aimed at building the capacity of the participants in HIV/AIDS and reproductive health care.

Mr Augustine Kumi, Chairman of GSMF in Techiman District advised people to show compassion with people with the disease and appealed to philanthropists to support HIV/AIDS campaign.