Wassa-Akropong (W/R), May 9, GNA - Organisations and individuals involved in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic have been urged to intensify their education against the stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with the disease.

This is because the fight against the disease could only be won when favourable conditions were created for People Living With AIDS (PLWAs) to have the courage to disclose their status and seek medical attention.

Miss Mavis Quarssie, Field Officer of the Rural Environmental Care Association, a Non-governmental Organisation stated these in an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Wassa-Akropong on Saturday. She noted that in spite of public education against stigmatisation and discrimination against PLWAs the practise was on the increase especially in some rural areas and said, "The tendency must be confronted vigorously".

At present, 25 PLWAs in the Wassa Amenfi East District were receiving assistance from the NGO. She advised the people, especially the youth against pre-marital sex to avoid contracting the disease. The Field Officer of the Rural Environmental Care Association also urged adults to abstain from casual sex and to remain faithful to their spouses.