Relief For HIV-Infected Children
HUNDREDS OF HIV-infected Ghanaian children and those orphaned by AIDS, last Wednesday, started receiving free anti-retroviral therapies (ARTs) through the One-for-One Campaign introduced by the Woyome Foundation for Africa (WOFA), a local non-governmental organisation committed to providing care and support for people living with HIV&AIDS (PLWHA).
The cost of the year-long exercise, aimed at bringing back hope and relief to families and keep infected children alive, is being borne by the Foundation.
The exercise formed part of the many initiatives and projects undertaken by WOFA and its partners.
“About one hundred infected children including many who do not have access to health centres would be covered under the first phase of the Foundation's support under the One-for-One Campaign,” stated Mr. Vitus Nanbigne, the Foundation's Project Coordinator, in a statement to mark this year's World AIDS Orphans Day, observed worldwide on May 7.
Treatment centres to benefit from the WOFA Support package include the Ketu District Hospital in the Volta Region, Ridge Hospital and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
“The number of children infected by HIV need not rise if we take responsibility to stop further infections by adults and subsequently children.
Moreover, if we are going to adequately respond to the HIV and AIDS crisis, it is critical that we focus greater attention on the children who are being left behind by the pandemic.
“Whilst scientists are working to develop effective vaccines, particularly paediatric preventions such as preventing transmission through breastfeeding, people need to be more responsible by avoiding infections,” Mr Nanbigne advised.
He added: “WOFA is in the forefront of education and practical interventions to prevent new HIV infections as well as working together to sustain children who are already infected so as to prevent them from abuse and stigmatisation.”
Statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that more than 15 million children worldwide have been orphaned by AIDS and less than one in every 10 of this figure receives any form of external support.