The Kwahu Afram Plains South District organized its world AIDS Day at Koranteng Krachi on 4thDecember, 2021.
The celebration which was attended by Chiefs and Elders, Opinion Leaders, School Children and community members was opened by the District Chief Executive.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. George Ofori in his keynote address appeal to all and sundry to join in the fight against HIV in view of the lives it claims yearly.
He urged all to be attentive to the information the health officials would be sharing, more especially on the HIV virus as well as take the necessary precautions accordingly.
Madam Joana Amakwah, the District Director of Health also took her turn to sensitize the people on the devastating effects of the epidemic and advised the public against having multiple sexual partners, engaging in unprotected sex, sharing of blades and other sharp objects. According to her, practices such as these predispose one to the risk of contracting the HIV virus.
Additionally, she drew the attention of the public to the fact that HIV virus can also be transmitted from an infected mother to a baby during delivery or after birth through breastfeeding and or through blood transfusion with an infected blood. She urged all and sundry, more especially those living with the virus to go to the hospital in order to be put on the antiretroviral treatment.
she reminded all to bear in mind that the HIV virus was a normal condition just like any condition including malaria, high blood pressure and diabetes among others which are no respecter of persons and advised all to stop HIV discrimination.
Mr. Eugene Kob and Mr. Frank Arthur, the District HIV Focal Person and the District HIV Coordinator respectively took their turns to sensitize the public on the virus. In their sensitization sessions, both underscored the importance of early detection of the virus and how people can be linked to care when they test positive for the HIV virus. Emphasizing on this year’s theme for the celebration – “Communities make the difference; help end AIDS”, it was central among all who spoke that one’s willingness and readiness to undertake the HIV test was the first step in helping end AIDS as exposed by the theme.
Mr. Frank Arthur having highlighted the benefits of knowing one’s HIV status, people were advised to know and keep their status if negative, and to be linked to care if positive in order to continue living a normal life.
Members were made to understand that one can still live a meaningful and a normal life even with the HIV virus when the person is linked to care and is on treatment.
