As part of efforts to give back to society, prolific Ghanaian actor Prince David Osei’s charity foundation on Saturday organised a health screening and fitness programme for students at the Labone Senior High School in Accra.
The rationale was to use his foundation to encourage the youth in particular to inculcate the habit of living healthy lifestyles by knowing their HIV status through screening and regular check-ups.
At the event, the PDO Foundation screened students for HIV/AIDS, Malaria Parasite, Syphilis, Sugar Level, Blood Pressure. There was also an eye screening exercise.
The ‘Dead’ actor did the unexpected when he got himself tested for HIV/AIDS in front of hundreds of students at Labone Senior High School to declare the screening process open.
“I took this upon myself. I decided to screen for HIV/AIDS because leadership is by example so if you want the students to do it, you have to do it. I didn’t have a choice.
It was my first time testing and anything could have happened. I was just daring and brave enough to go and do the HIV/AIDS test.
“Thank God the result proved negative. Having done the test, I can also encourage other people to do it because I don’t think it is any scary thing.
If you know your status, it is good. At least, if it is negative then you become careful or if it is positive, you will have retroviral drugs that can lessen it.
Whether it is positive or negative, life still goes on,” he told NEWS-ONE after the exercise.
The screening process will continue in other schools including Accra High School.
Labone Senior is the first school to host the actor and his team of doctors from Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and 37 Military Hospital.
From Accra, the screening exercise will be taken to other schools in the Northern, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Ashanti Regions.
David is using funds from his PDO and Sniperdee Clothing Line to support the project while he waits for sponsors.