The Brong-Ahafo Regional Hospital is putting up a 500 million cedi multi HIV/AIDS facility at the hospital in Sunyani to cater for HIV/AIDS tests and voluntary counselling among others. The facility which is expected to be completed by the end of June this year would comprise of voluntarily counselling and testing units, laboratory, clinic and data collection units as well as recreational centres. Dr Daniel Asare, Medical Superintendent of the hospital announced this in Sunyani on Wednesday when he received a cheque for 12 million cedis from African Leadership, a national Christian Organization to provide free anti-retroviral drugs to 60 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Region. Dr Asare noted that stigmatisation of HIV/AIDS patients by sections of the public had resulted in the upsurge of the pandemic, as most people were reluctant to check their HIV status. "These people have the fear that they will be isolated and discriminated against in society if they tested positive", he said. Dr Asare advised the public to embraced people living with HIV/AIDS and give them the necessary assistance and support since "the disease is no respecter of persons". The Medical Superintendent appealed to philanthropists, non-governmental organizations and other spirited individuals to assist the Hospital towards the completion of the project. Dr Asare thanked the donors for the gesture and gave the assurance that the money would be used for its intended purpose. Making the presentation, Reverend Sam Oppong National Director of African Leadership said it was part of the social obligations of the organization in identifying and helping the marginalized in society. He noted that most of the HIV/AIDS patients refused to go in for the anti-retroviral drugs because they were not financially sound stressing the importance to support such people and giving them the necessary encouragement to help expand their lifespan. Rev Oppong said the amount was to help the beneficiaries to have access to the drugs for three months after which the organization would consider extending its support. Meanwhile, African Leadership, responsible for training church leaders with its headquarters in Sunyani last year presented 10 million cedis to the Hospital to ensure the free delivery of anti-retroviral drugs to the beneficiaries. Source: GNA