Abuakwa (Ash), Oct. 13, GNA - The Atwima District ranked third after Kumasi metropolis and Adansi West in recorded HIV/AIDS cases in Ashanti last year, Dr Moro Azumah, medical officer in-charge of the Abuakwa Health Centre, announced at the weekend.

He said whereas statistics showed that Kumasi recorded 1,680 cases followed by Adansi West with 283 cases, Atwima recorded 186 cases. Making a presentation on HIV/AIDS to members of the Abuakwa Market Stores Association at Abuakwa, Dr Azumah said in 2002, the Abuakwa town recorded nine HIV/AIDS cases.

He told members of the Association that AIDS was real, and therefore, called on both the youth and adults to abstain from casual sex, saying that it was the surest way of avoiding the disease. Dr. Azumah appealed to the government to train more health personnel in counselling, because the disease was spreading so fast that if it was not checked the nation would be deprived of its workforce in future.

He asked the Atwima District Assembly to monitor the activities of the Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) engaged in the campaign against the disease with public funds to ensure that the monies are used judiciously.