Sunyani, Oct. 18, GNA- Alhaj Dr. Mohammed Bin Abraham, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health Services on Wednesday urged medical practitioners to build their capacity in handling HIV/AIDS patients. This, he said, would enable them show compassion and help erase the stigma placed on victims to help minimize the spread of the scourge. Alhaj Dr. Ibrahim was opening a three-day workshop, attended by more than 30 HIV/AIDS volunteers selected from all the 10 regions of the country.

The workshop, which is being organized by the regional branch of the St. John Ambulance in Sunyani and sponsored by the Ghana AIDS Commission is on the theme "HIV/AIDS capacity". Alhaj Dr. Ibrahim explained that due to cross border activities the prevalent rate of the disease in the region was becoming alarming stressing the importance to continue educating the public about the causes and effects of the disease.

He said voluntary counselling and testing was very crucial in the fight against HIV/AIDS and urged the general public particularly the youth to go for the AIDS test to know their status. This would also aid victims to access anti-retroviral therapy to help them live longer.

Mrs. Hilda Comey, Executive Secretary of St. John Ambulance appealed to the public to desist from stigmatising HIV/AIDS victims since "anyone can catch the disease". She advised the participants to take the workshop very serious and utilize the knowledge that would be acquired to bring about a positive change in the various communities.

Dr. Saeed Ali Baketeh, a scientist at the regional hospital and the resource person would lecture the participants on HIV/AIDS programme management, Behavioural change, communication, community sensitisation and some basic facts about the disease. 18 Oct. 07