By Erica Apetaua Addo, GNA
Akyempim (W/R), December 11, GNA – AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Limited has provided free medical screening for children and the aged at Akyempim and its nearby communities in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency.
Some of the common ailments screened for by the medical team from the Sam Jonah and Tarkwa Municipal hospitals were diabetes, hypertension, malaria, eye, nose and throat, and skin diseases.
The free health screening formed part of activities to climax this year’s world AIDS day celebration which falls on December 1 every year.
“Communities make the difference; help end AIDS” was the theme for this year’s celebration.
Addressing the gathering, the Acting Managing Director, Mr Stephen Asante Yamoah, in a speech read on his behalf said the global programme was held every year to prevent new HIV infections, deepen awareness and support those living with HIV.
He said as part of efforts to promote access to quality health care in their host communities, they have decided to organize a medical outreach programme to improve upon their well-being and also sensitize the populace on HIV/AIDS and encourage them to partake in voluntary counselling and testing.
“The rigorous campaign and efforts stakeholders previously initiated to draw attention to the deadly HIV/AIDS virus has not been sustained in recent years and this has regrettably aggravated the global HIV/AIDS infection rate” he said.
Mr Yamoah said in 2018 the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) disclosed that 1.7 million people were infected with HIV, whiles 37.9 million people living world-wide with the virus.
He said out of these figures, 8.1 million people were estimated to be living with the virus without their knowledge.
The Acting Managing Director said AngloGold would step up its outreach programmes by strengthening local health systems, partnering government as well as other stakeholders to address specific health challenges to promote healthy lives and the well-being of all ages in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Mr Gilbert Kennedy Asmah, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Tarkwa-Nsuaem, on his part expressed worry on how people living with HIV/AIDS were stigmatized in society.He called on the public to refrain from this attitude and rather draw closer to people living with HIV/AIDS by showing them affection.The MCE appealed to all stakeholders within the municipality to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS in their respective communities to avert the spread of the disease.Mr Emmanuel Affelkum, Municipal Health Director, commended AAIL for their enormous contributions and support to eradicate the HIV/AIDS disease […]
