HIV\AIDS Testing is now free in Ghana
Kumasi, Feb 27, Ghanadot/GNA – The Ghana Health Service
(GHS) has directed that henceforth all HIV/AIDS tests at
settings, facilities and during outreach programmes must
absolutely be at no cost to clients.
This was contained in a circular signed by Dr. Elias K.
Sory, Director- General of the Ghana Health Service and
released in Kumasi on Thursday.
It said the directive had become necessary to help
increase and encourage many people to participate in the
Voluntary, Counselling and Testing (VCT) exercise to
improve their health status.
The release urged heads of facilities at hospitals and
health centres to ensure that all fees previously
collected for HIV Testing should be duly accounted for
and a report submitted to the Regional Directorates of
Health Services at the end of February 2009.
Dr. Thomas Agyarko Poku, HIV/AIDS Co-ordinator in charge
of Ashanti Region told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) the
directive was laudable and hoped it would pave the way
for many people to undertake VCT to improve their
health.
He advised people to take their health seriously and
attend hospitals and clinics when necessary.
Dr Poku urged the public to practice regenerative health
by eating healthy and balanced diet, exercising their
bodies as well as resting at all times.
GNA