Koforidua, July 19, GNA - The Eastern Regional Co-ordinator of the National AIDS Control Programme, Dr Sampson Ofori, had observed that the HIV/AIDS disease would be staying with human society for a long time to come and therefore, called on all to brace themselves up to face the challenges posed by the disease. Dr Ofori, who was reacting to an accusation from some People Living With the HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) that, some health workers had been discriminating against them said the Ghana Health Service (GHS) was aware and so had started a training programme for health staff. He said so far, over 170 health staff had been retrained to

enable them to overcome the problem of stigmatisation and

discrimination, when it came to the handling and treatment of

patients suffering form the disease. Dr Ofori was speaking at a one-day workshop on the proper

formation and functioning of PLWHA associations and support

groups in the Eastern Region in Koforidua on Tuesday. The workshop, which was organized by the Eastern

Regional Co-ordinating Council (ERCC) with support from the

Multi-Sectoral AIDS Programme (MSHAP), was attended by

PLWHAs, District Focal Persons, District HIV/AIDS

Co-ordinators, representatives of HIV/AIDS support groups and

members of the Eastern Regional HIV/AIDS Committee. Dr Ofori reminded them that the disease was not a

respecter of persons, saying, "all manner of people are dying

from the disease including health staff." He advised HIV/AIDS patients on drugs to avoid defaulting

in taking their prescriptions, explaining that, such neglect made

the virus to develop resistance to the drugs, which would make

the future control of the disease very difficult. Dr Ofori explained that it was not all people suffering from

the disease that had to be placed on the anti-retroviral drugs,

because for one to be on the drug, the resistance cells of the

fellow should not be below level 250. He explained that one of the important requirements for

placing an HIV/AIDS patient on the anti-retroviral drug was for

the patient to have a monitor, who could support the patient

when he or she became weak after the taking of the drug.

The Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Susana Mensah,

called on PLWHAs not to feel disgraced but brace themselves

up to live positive lives to stay longer and take good care of their

children. She said the constitution of the country did not allow

anybody to be discriminated against and that all citizens of the

country had equal rights. The PLWHAs were therefore urged to come together to

fight against stigmatisation and discrimination in any form. Ms Mensah described HIV/AIDS as "just like any other

disease", saying, there were diseases, which were killing people

faster and more than HIV/AIDS and therefore, if such people

could openly talk about the disease they were suffering from,

then it should be possible for HIV/AIDS patients to also openly

talk about their disease to stop the discrimination and

stigmatisation against them. The Eastern Regional Director of Medical Service, Dr

Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyirah, advised PLWHAs to be

courageous and pursue economic activities, which would help

them improve upon their financial situations to enable them take

good care of themselves. He advised them to register with the National Health

Insurance Schemes to enable them take advantage of the

financial support offered by the schemes. The Eastern Regional Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, Ms Golda

Asante, advised PLWHA to form associations to enable them

benefit from the various support programmes and explained that

most of the organization supporting the PLWHAs prefer to deal

with groups than individuals.