The JANOK Foundation, a non-governmental organization at Laterbiokorshie in Accra has distributed 500 oral-based HIV Self-Test Kits (HIVST kits) to traders, especially kayayei (head porters) in the Korle Klottey District of the Greater Accra Region.
The Foundation is helping to enhance HIV case detection and link patients to care.
The initiative is under an HIV Project titled “Other Vulnerable Population (OVP)” and is being run by the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) with funding from the Global Fund Grant Cycle Seven (GC7).
Madam Jane Amerley Oku, the CEO of JANOK Foundation in an interview with the Ghana News Agency said the purpose of the distribution was to get more tested of the disease for early detection, treatment and management.
“Getting tested is the only way and it is important because it helps prevent transmission to others and if you test positive, you can start treatment which can significantly improve your quality of life,” she stated.
Late last year the organization carried out human right education and support services on HIV/AIDS, with funds from GHANET and the distribution of 500 quantities of oral-based HIV Self-Test Kits (HIVST kits) while in 2016 distributed condoms under the project.
She said in the cause of the period the Foundation engaged three volunteers and held seven sensitization programmes for Kayayei (Head porters) who were the target group in various communities in Korle Klottey District including Kinbu, Tudu, Adabraka, Old Dornaa and Osu.
The team engaged with people within the markets including shop owners, customers, and kayayei and distributed HIV self-test kits and condoms to interested people.
The team also held radio programmes on HIV on an Accra-based FM station and the estimated number of shops visited for the sensitization on HIV was 200.
Source: myghanadaily
