3 Test HIV positive weekly
Contrary to the perception that HIV/AIDS is on the decline, indications are that many young people are testing positive on a weekly basis.
Advertisement
This frightening picture was painted by Dr Dennis Bortey, a senior medical officer at the Adabraka Polyclinic, during a health screening exercise to mark Ghana’s independence celebration at Adabraka in Accra.
HIV scare
According to him every week an average of three persons test positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, at the clinic.
He noted that the ages of the affected persons ranged from 8 to 45 years.
“I believe the figures for the HIV prevalence rate must be revised because at the Adabraka Poly Clinic alone every week at least three persons test positive for HIV”, he stated.
He called for a sustained sensitisation programme about the virus and its prevention to stem the alarming trend.
As of 2015 the HIV prevalent rate was reported as 1.37 per cent while the proportion of women living with HIV/AIDS was 57 per cent compared to 43 per cent for men.
Screening
The screening, organised by menus’ fraternity club, ADEXCLUSIVE, for inhabitants of Adabraka and its environs, attracted over 500 people who were tested for their blood sugar levels, HIV status, blood pressure and oral health.
Mr Ato Lindsay, chairman of the club, said they decided to organise the screening as their widow’s mite and corporate social responsibility to the residents of Adabraka.
According to him after several appeals for financial and medical support from residents to the club they decided to pool resources with the support of the EIB Network and Kinapharma to organise the health screening exercise.
“This will go a long way to make the inhabitants of Adabraka healthy and strong for them to create wealth and opportunities for themselves”, he told this paper.
Participants received medications for various ailments and titbits on healthcare from doctors and dentists from the Adabraka Polyclinic.
