I gave AIDS to 39 men

A 28-year-old female patient, Atswei Pat, has placed the whole township of Teshie, a suburb of Accra, into a state of fear. Minutes before her death last week, she disclosed to her family that she had infected about 39 men with the AIDS virus.

The disclosure came after all efforts to heal her of the suspected spiritual sickness proved vain. The shocking news of Atswei’s spread of the virus seemed to rob most men in the ‘Bukoeshie’ area where she used to live, of their happiness; this was evident in the manner in which they wore pale faces after the news broke out.

Sources close to the family told the ‘Times’ that Atswei’s boylover, Adjei, had even fled the town to avoid being stigmatized by the townsfolk. His parents are said to be angry because they had advised him against his relationship with Atswei.

The family sources disclosed that Atswei, a fishmonger, used to bleach her skin to attract more men. They said about nine years ago, Atswei was diagnosed of the disease after a medical examination at the Korle-Bu Teaching hospital, but failed to disclose the news to them.

However, they started to suspect her of AIDS when her condition started deteriorating in January this year, but since there was no proof from any medical source, they eventually gave up on it. They rather blamed the failing condition of their relative on witchcraft. The source revealed also some time last year, two of Atswei’s children died mysteriously. They were born after their mother had contracted the disease.

She is survived by one child, who she had before getting infected with the virus. A close confidante of hers who pleaded anonymity, told the ‘Times’ that while Atswei was alive, she used to tell her that a man had offended her so she was also going to stage a massive revenge on men. She said that from the first time Atswei made that utterance eight years ago, she had been “carelessly going to bed” with virtually everyman who proposed love to her.

“Most of these men are big men who have as many as three or more girl friends, who also do not stick to one partner.” The family source said that harm caused by their relative in the vicinity “Will be too much to quantify” because of the promiscuous lifestyle of the people in the area. The deceased has since been buried.