Kumasi, Oct 17, GNA- The Ministry of Health (MOH) has set up over 48 Anti-Retroviral Therapy Centres in the country of which 12 are in the Ashanti Region to help manage and treat HIV/AIDS cases. Those in the Ashanti region include the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Bomso Clinic, Obuasi Government Hospital and Anglo Ashanti Hospital, Saint Patrick's Hospital at Offinso, Agogo Presbyterian Hospital and Kumasi South Hospital.

Mr Michael Boamey, Ashanti Regional Coordinator of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) disclosed this at the opening of a two-day workshop on HIV/AIDS for 35 leaders and managers of Non-Government Organisations (NGOS) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOS) in the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions in Kumasi on Tuesday.

The workshop organised by the Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organisations and Development (GAPVOD) and supported by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) is under the theme "Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into the Operations of Civil Society Organisations -A Critical Component of Sustainable Development".

He said the prevalence rate of the pandemic in the region last year was 3.7 per cent and hoped that his outfit would step up efforts to reduce its spread.

Mr Boamey pointed out that since about 80 per cent of the disease was caused through sexual contacts there was the need for the public to avoid promiscuous lifestyles.

The Coordinator said it was importance for Ghanaians to go for Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) to enable them know their HIV/AIDS status.

Mr Edward Gyasi, Deputy Director of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council commended the vital roles of NGOS and CSOS in educating the people about the disease and the need to avoid its spread. He called on the public not to stigmatise people living with AIDS but rather accept them in the society.

Mr Kofi Adu, Executive secretary of CAPVOD, said the organization has since 2004 been involved in the training of staff of NGOS and CSOS to help build their capacities to enhance their work.