Nkoranza (B/A), Sept. 25, GNA - Mr Richard Kwasi Hinneh, Nkoranza District Director of the Health Service, has expressed concern about the high prevalence rate of HIV cases in the district. He has, therefore, called on all and sundry especially opinion leaders in the area to intensify educational campaign against the spread of the disease.

Mr Hinneh was addressing participants at a sensitization workshop at Nkoranza at the weekend organized for about 40 community leaders from Nkoranza South District.

It was aimed at educating and equipping the participants to speak strongly against stigmatization to enable people living with HIV to live comfortably in their communities. The workshop organized by the Rural Care Foundation (RUCAF), an NGO, and attended by assembly members and their unit committee members, traditional rulers, religious leaders, teachers, and the media personnel.

Mr Hinneh announced that the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS cases in the district as at December last year was 3.2 per cent adding, since every one was at the risk of contracting the pandemic, it was necessary for every individual to take precautionary measures.

He said: "It is rather unfortunate that the youth, the productive age group of the nation, were identified to be the most affected." He attributed the situation to their negative sexual attitudes and practices.

Ms Patience Danquah, National Director of Rural Health Foundation, noted that the Foundation was operating in Nkoranza for the first time in Brong-Ahafo.

She said it would visit churches, schools, organizations, groups and other associations to create the awareness on the NGO and its mission to enable the public to join them in the fight against the disease.

Mrs Eva Agbodo-Saku, Nkoranza District Public Health Nurse, disclosed that about 1,181 people were tested HIV positive between 2000 and the end of the second quarter of this year. She said it was only last year that the district did not record an increase in HIV case. Mrs Agbodo-Saku called for hard work among health workers and support from the public towards the achievement of the goal.