Regional News of Friday, 17 October 2003

Source: GNA

Medical officer challenges chemists to research into AIDS

Kumasi, Oct 17, GNA- Dr Thomas Agyarko-Poku, Project Manager of AIDS West Africa Project, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has challenged chemists to conduct research into HIV/AIDS and help develop a drug for its cure.

He said though it was part of the responsibility of scientists like chemists to research into finding a cure for diseases including the pandemic, little has been heard from them.

Dr Agyarko-Poku was speaking on "The Role of the Student Chemist in Curbing HIV/AIDS" at a summit on chemical science organised by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the Students Chemical Society (SCS) as part of its week celebration in Kumasi.

He said in view of the alarming rate of the spread of the disease, it had become crucial for chemists to devote some time to research into the disease and come out with a drug that can cure it. Nana Obeng Brentuo, President of the association, called on student chemists to select their project work to reflect peculiar problems of the country. 17 Oct 03