Tema, Jan 29, GNA - Out of the 819 people who went for counselling and testing at the Fevers Unit of the Tema General Hospital last year, 416 tested HIV/AIDS positive. Statistics made available to newsmen on Thursday during a donation to the victims at the unit gave the breakdown as 284 females and 132 males. Unilever Ghana Limited donated a cheque for GH¢2,500 to support the financial, medical and basic needs of the HIV/AIDS victims at the unit as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Madam Augustina Andoh, Acting Nursing Officer in charge of the unit said a total of 354 made up of 128 males and 226 females tested HIV positive in 2007. Currently, she said six patients were on admission while out- patient victims described as "healthy victims" were 120. She said days had been assigned for them to receive counselling on the management of the infection.

Dr Kwaku Sarkodie, Medical officer of Unilever who presented the cheque, said Unilever had provided numerous financial and material supports to alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged and assured them that it would be sustained to enable them to enjoy comfortable life. He said management had organised series of programmes to sensitize their workers and the surrounding communities to lead responsible lives to avoid contracting the disease and to bring it to the barest minimum.

Dr Otu Tawia, Acting Medical Superintendent of the Tema General Hospital received the cheque and said since no cure had been found for HIV/AIDS, victims would continue to require material and financial support in order to manage their condition. He expressed the hope that other organisations and individuals would also come to their aid.