Wa, Oct. 26, GNA - Alhaji Tamimu Zaid, Upper West Regional focal person on HIV/AIDS, says prevalent rate of the disease in the region has been higher than the national average for the past four years. He said currently, the region had an average of 3.2% HIV/AIDS prevalent rate as against the national average of 1.9%. Alhaji Zaid said this when he briefed the Regional Population Advisory Committee (RPAC) on the current situation of the pandemic in the region at the committee's meeting at Wa on Tuesday. Alhaji Zaid said there were 41 sentinel centres nationwide that provided Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) services, of which three of them were located in the Upper West Region.

He attributed the high prevalence rate in the region to ignorance, lack of condom use and negative socio-cultural practices. He said "night markets" were also helping to promote the spread of the disease in some parts of the region. The Regional HIV/AIDS Committee was however mobilizing both human and material resources together to fight the spread of the pandemic, he stated.

They were also collaborating with many Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Traditional leaders to carry out intensified education campaigns.