Catholic priest appeals for help for AIDS patients

The Rev. Father Bobi Benson, the Director of the Matthew Chapter 25 House, a Catholic AIDS care centre at Koforidua, has appealed to the government to assist the centre by paying salaries of the supporting staff.

He said he managed the centre that takes care of several persons living with HIV/AIDS from towns in the Eastern Region and other voluntary workers assist him.

The Rev Father Benson said this over the weekend when the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Ms Susan Mensah, visited the centre.

"The house depends on donour funds but these are inadequate due to the high cost of taking care of the patients."

He said the patients had been trained in income generating ventures to support themselves but people refused to buy their products due to the stigma attached to the house.

"Any thing or person that comes out of the centre is stigmatized and that has affected the sales of products such as palm oil and even charcoal they produce."

Ms Mensah praised the reverend father for embarking on such "a huge ministry to care for such persons who are even neglected by their families."

Source: GNA