The West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) on Saturday, November 30, organised a free HIV/AIDS counseling, screening, and testing exercise for traders at the Madina market in the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly.
This event was organised as part of activities to commemorate the 2019 World AIDS Day, which was themed “Communities make the difference”. The event, spearheaded by the Quaye Lab Group at WACCBIP, provided a platform for researchers to interact with the public about sexual health and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and management.
A trader at the Madina Market gets tested for HIV
Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Osbourne Quaye, Head of the Quaye Group, was enthusiastic that the campaign would have a positive impact the knowledge base of the public to reduce the likelihood of transmission. He said, an HIV test is the only way to determine if a person is living with the virus, so that individual may practice safer behaviours.
“It is not good to say that you know the symptoms and therefore do not have to test for the virus, because it takes a while for the symptoms to show up,” Dr. Quaye said. “During that period, the virus can still be transmitted. It is difficult to know you are infected until your immune system starts going down, and by which time, all the symptoms that come with full-blown HIV/AIDS will now be expressed.”
He explained that one of the main reasons the initiative was community-focused was so that experts could address some of the harmful myths associated with the disease. He said that being diagnosed with HIV is not as life-ending as many people fear, explaining that there are treatments available now that can ensure infected persons continue to live quality lives without inadvertently spreading the disease.
“There are lots of myths about how the virus is transmitted. The disease is not as mysterious as many people think, you should not be afraid to get tested,” he said. “That is why we are here. Knowing your status can save you a lot of worries”¦[and] although there is no cure yet for HIV, antiretroviral treatment works.”
WACCBIP outreach team with Mr Alvin Katahene of MDS-Lancet Laboratories (2nd from left)
The programme was organised in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission. In all, more than 400 traders at the Madina market were tested. Experts also spoke to the traders about their blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which were also tested for.The screening process, which took about 10 minutes per person, was facilitated by teams of registered nurses and medical officers from the University Hospital, Legon.
Public Engagement Officer, Miss Kyerewaa Boateng interacts with market women on HIV prevention
Miss Sakina Issifu, a beneficiary of the outreach event was grateful to WACCBIP researchers for providing sensitisation on the disease.
“I have never heard of HIV; although I know of malaria,” she said. “This is the first time I am hearing of the disease and I was very happy with the free screening and education on how to protect myself against the disease. I pray you do this regularly.''
This year's event was completed with support from Special Ice Company Limited and MDS-Lancet Laboratories Ghana Limited.
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