Koforidua, Nov. 3, GNA- The Catholic Bishop for Koforidua, the Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, has stressed the need for religious groups to team up to fight the HIV/AIDS in the country.

He noted that the spread of the pandemic was no respecter of status and barriers, it was, therefore, important that all segements of the society come together to fight the disease.

Bishop Charles Palmer-Buckle was opening a week-long training of 25 volunteers in home-based care for People Leaving With HIV/AIDS (PLWAHs) at the Diocesan Pastoral Training Centre at Koforidua on Monday.

This brings to 96 volunteers drawn from the Somanya, Agormanya, Osonson and Asesewa areas in the Yilo and Manya Krobo districts to undertake the training, which is being collaborated by the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua, the Family Health International, Local Council of Churches, Muslim Community and the St Martin's Hospital, Agormanya. Bishop Palmer-Buckle asked the participants to regard themselves as ambassadors of their communities who are expected to create awareness and offer help care for the PLWAHs.

He gave the assurance that the programme would be replicated in other parts of the region after the pilot period and urged all sections of the society to get involved in providing care and compassion for PLWAHs.

Fr. Bobby Benson, the Diocesan AIDS Co-ordinator, asked the participants to realise that HIV/AIDS if not protected would affect everyone in the society.