General News of Wednesday, 25 October 2006

Source: GNA

Veep subjects self to voluntary Hepatitis test

Accra, Oct. 25, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Tuesday underwent voluntary testing for Hepatitis B, with a call on Ghanaians to emulate him to insulate them against the fangs of the killer disease. Being the 314th person to be tested at the Osu Castle Clinic, Vice President Alhaji Mahama immediately waged a campaign against the disease by calling on people to get tested as early as possible to be treated or vaccinated to help to prolong their lifespan.

He commended the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana for organising the campaign with the slogan: "Hepatitis B, Get Tested; Get Vaccinated; Get Treated."

Mr Frank Boateng, President of the Society, said Hepatitis B was more prevalent and deadly than HIV/AIDS. He said people, who got vaccinated against the disease, became immune for life.

Mr Boateng said the Society was interested in public health issues such as worm infestation, malaria, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Control.