Sunyani, Aug 23, GNA - HIV/AIDS is on the increase in the Brong-Ahafo Region as "Sentinel Reports" indicated an increment from 2.6 per cent in 2008 to 2.9 per cent in 2009, Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, the Regional Minister, has said.

He said out of 10,036 patients and blood donors screened by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) last year 1,685 were found to be positive.

Mr Nyamekye-Marfo said in 2007 the region recorded 88 maternal deaths and dropped to 81 in 2008 but increased to 89 in 2009 which represented a rate of 210 per 100,000 live births as compared to the National Institutional Maternal Mortality rate of 196 per 100,000 live births.

The Regional Minister, who was speaking at the opening of the third annual general conference of Ghana Association of Public Health Technical Officers, said the situation demanded an immediate solution.

The five-day conference is being attended by about 250 Field Technicians, Leprosy Control Officers, Disease Control Technical Officers, Nutrition Technical Officers, Health Information Officers and Community Health Officers.

The conference is sponsored jointly by the World Health Orgaionsation (WHO), National Malaria Control Programme (NAMCOP) and Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI).

Mr. Nyamekye-Marfo said the region exceeded its 2009 target of child immunization as it was able to vaccinate 470,800 children during the third round of the national immunization days, representing 102.4 percent over the expected coverage.

Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Deputy Regional Director of the GHS, reiterated the need for public health workers and other health partners to work as a team.

Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II, Paramount Chief of Berekum who chaired the function, said developed countries relied more on disease prevention in their public health system and appealed to the government to recognize the association for their inputs in the formulation and implementation of health policies.

Mr. Osei Kwaakye, national secretary of the association, said members of GAPHTO could be the most reliable and viable human resource base the government could depend on within the arena of health sector.

This he attributed to their selfless contributions towards the promotion of public health as well as their dedication, commitment and devotion to work at all levels in the country.

Mr. Kwaakye said unlike other health professionals their members were "not trained by the state at a loss" because "we stay back to contribute to the health and socio-economic development of the country rather than going to seek for greener pastures elsewhere as practiced by some health professionals".

He said members would never relent in their efforts to serve the country, adding "we shall endeavour to intensify our collaboration with policy makers and other partners for the mutual growth and development of the association".