Kumasi, (Ashanti Region) 12 Nov.,

Ghanaians have been asked not to shun the company of AIDS patients but rather extend more compassion and affection to them to enhance their integration into society. Dr. Yaw Adu-Sarkodie, Medical Officer in charge of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, made the appeal at a one-day seminar, organised by the Ashanti Region branch of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) for male workers of the utility services in Kumasi. The seminar which had the theme ''Men and their reproduction health needs'', was designed to give the participants a profound insight into the dangers of STD's/AIDS and the role expected of men in the family planning programme. It was sponsored under the USAID Male Motivation Project. Dr. Adu-Sarkodie said the neglect of AIDS victims by their families and society at large, only compounds their already worse predicament and that this should be avoided. He said even though the mode of transmission of some contagious diseases like tuberculosis is much faster and easier in society than HIV/AIDS, TB patients are still better accorded reception by communities than the AIDS patient. He dispelled the notion that ordinary social contact with AIDS patients could make one contract the disease. He added that even with breast feeding only about 30 per cent of mothers tested HIV positive could pass on the disease through breast milk to their infants. Mrs. Grace Awuah of the 31st December Women's Movement asked men in family planning programmes. Mrs. Jessie Ramaswamy, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the PPAG, said the association has adopted innovative and creative measures to whip up the enthusiasm of men in family planning issues.