Lawra, Feb. 15, GNA - Eighty-two out of a total of 959 individuals who donated blood at the Nandom and Lawra hospitals in the Upper West Region last year, tested HIV positive after screening their blood. During the same period, random tests on a total of 117 males at the two hospitals revealed that 60 tested HIV Positive.

These disclosures were made by Miss Melany Bokuma, Lawra District Director of Health Services at Lawra on Friday at the launch of the district's HIV/AIDS campaign.

Miss Bokuma appealed to Ghanaians, particularly northerners, to do away with aspects of their cultural practices that have the potential of contributing to the spread of the pandemic and other health hazards. She mentioned in particular the practices of inheritance of widows of deceased relatives, female circumcision and polygamy. Mr Sylvanus Ganfaa, the District Chief Executive, who addressed the launch, organized by the district HIV committee called on the community based organizations charged with educating the public on the pandemic to focus especially on the youth, who are the most sexually active of the society.

Mr Ganfaa urged the youth to abide by all measures to combat HIV/AIDS.

They should be faithful to their partners, or abstain from sex until they get married or use the condom if they cannot resist sexual desire.

The DCE also appealed to the people to take interest in the National Health Insurance Scheme, by paying for their premiums in order to benefit from the scheme.