Koforidua Nov 6, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Francis Osafo Mensah, has called on Ghanaians to respect and accord the dignity and liberty due to People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAS) as human beings. He explained that since this basic rights are based on internationally held human rights, the rights of PLWAHs must not be taken away from them.

Dr Osafo Mensah, who made the call at the launch of this year's celebration of the Eastern Regional World Aids Day at Koforidua on Thursday, said it is the responsibility of every citizen to support PLWHAS to live as happily as possible in a nurturing friendly environment.

He called on churches, heads of department, opinion leaders, students and the general public to stop the stigmatisation and discrimination against PLWHAs, but should show love, compassion and support for them.

Dr Osafo Mensah gave the assurance that the Government would do everything possible to care, support and protect them and urged the mass media to use their facilities to promote the protection of the right of PLWHAs, "instead of writing things which will hurt them."

Dr Osafo Mensah disclosed that according to the "2002 Sentinel Surveillance", the Eastern Region was leading in HIV/AIDs prevalence rate by 7.9 per cent as against the Northern Region, which had 2 per cent, while New Juaben Municipality had the highest prevalence rate of 8.5 per cent.

He, therefore, appealed to the residents to take the clarion call against the HIV/AIDs seriously to ensure that the behaviourial change being preached everyday would be realised.

Dr Samuel B Ofori, Eastern Regional National AIDs Commission Coordinator, who spoke on HIV/AIDs and human rights, noted that stigma and discrimination were the key elements in blocking efforts to confront the AIDS by the non-admission of people having the disease to avoid persecution and alienation by neighbours.

"We will be waging a fruitless battle if we continue to harbour that attitude", adding that, "without a rights-based response, the impact of and vulnerability to infection will increase and the communities ability to respond will be hampered."

According to him, behavioural prevention is the way forward and therefore, asked the populace to uphold the rights of PLWHAs since the disease is now regarded as any of the chronic treatable conditions like cancer, TB, hypertension and diabetes.

He stressed that stigma and discrimination are the two important issues that have the capacity of undermining preventive and other control efforts.

The Konor of Yilo Krobo, Nene Narh Ologo Dawutey Vl, who is also the Regional Chairman of the Ghana AIDs Commission, said it is unfortunate that PLWHAS die not because of the sickness per se but due the stigma, rejection and denials that they received from friends, family members and the society at large.

He, therefore, stressed the need to educate the citizenry, especially the youth, gain understanding and appreciation of the need to respect PLWHAs, especially their rights.

The Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Professor Emeritus Oti Boateng, who chaired the function and received the Flame AIDs Torch said the flame is deeply symbolic and urged the people not to marginalized, stigma and discriminate against PLWHAS. He called for the adoption of positive attitudes towards PLWHAs and respect their human rights.

The Omanhene after receiving the "Flame of Hope for PLWHAs from Joseph Annan from Accra, later handed it over to a rider, Master Richard Mawuko who will carry it to Ho, Volta Region.