Kwahu South District records high HIV/AIDS cases

Mpraeso, Feb. 2, GNA- The Kwahu South District recorded 135 new HIV/AIDS cases in 2005 as against 86 recorded in 2004. Of the new cases, 105 patients tested positive while 30 were detected in blood donated during the year.

The Kwahu South District Director of Health Services, Dr. J. K. L. Opare, said these at this year's annual district health services performance review meeting on Wednesday, at Mpraeso. He said the HIV prevalence in the district also increased from 1.4 per cent in 2004 to 2.5 per cent in 2005.

He said the number of pregnant women who attended ante-natal care in the district dropped from 114.3 per cent in 2004 to 97.8 per cent in 2005, and only 54.1 per cent of them delivered under the supervision of trained birth attendants as against 59.7 per cent in 2004.

Dr Opare appealed to health workers in the district to offer good services to pregnant women to encourage them to attend ante-natal clinics and to deliver their babies under the supervision of trained birth attendants.

The Kwahu South District Chief Executive, Nana Kofi Onwona-Asante, said under the HIPC projects this year, the district assembly would construct one clinic and nurses quarters in the district. He said the Assembly would also assist the Kwahu Government Hospital at Atibie, to construct facilities for harvesting water for use throughout the year.

The Acting Director of the Midwifery Training School at Atibie, Ms Paulina Tenkorang, appealed to Kwahu citizens both at home and abroad to support the school.

She said the school urgently needed a 60-seater bus to convey students who go on practical attachment at Nkawkaw Holy Family Hospital and a pick-up for administrative duties. Ms Tenkorang also appealed to the Kwahu South District Assembly to help the school to rehabilitate its broken down water closets and sinks and to provide a toilets.