Go for voluntary testing — NGO

Story: Tim Dzamboe

GOSANET Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has celebrated the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day at Adaklu-Kodzobi in the Adaklu-Anyigbe District in the Volta Region with the view to strengthening the message on prevention, care and support on the disease among the black race.
The foundation co-ordinated activities with NBHAAD in the United States of America and focused on the need for people to opt for voluntary testing for HIV, knowledge on mode of transmission and treatment. It was on the theme: “Prevention is Power.”
Addressing a durbar, the Executive Director of GOSANET, Mr Samuel Yao Atidzah, said the infection rate in the Ho Municipality was unacceptable hence the need to embark on the campaign to educate the public.
He said the NGO was ready to help those infected with the disease.
Mr Atidzah stressed that it was time for the public to change their attitudes to remove the stigma on HIV/AIDS victims to encourage them to come out to declare their status.
In an address read on behalf of the District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Mawuli Dabi, he urged the community to embrace the educational campaign on the disease and to come out for Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) to safeguard themselves against infection.
The Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, Ms Mabel Klutse, urged the community to avoid stigmatisation of people living with the disease. He appealed to pregnant women to attend hospital for VCT.
For his part, the chief of the town, Togbe Dzegblade IV, stressed the need for married couples to be faithful to their partners.
He appealed to the NGO to establish income generating ventures in the area to provide employment for the youth.