More than one hundred and sixty patients, yesterday, registered with President Jammeh’s HIV/Aids treatment at the Serrekunda Hospital in Kanifing. The President’s treatment programme includes patients from Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Liberia and Sierra Leone. 

Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare,  on Thursday, presided over the registration of the 5th batch of the President’s HIV/Aids treatment.  The ceremony was held at the Serrekunda Hospital which began with a briefing by Dr Mbowe who explained to patients the procedures of the treatment. 
All those who registered for the treatment, underwent a series of laboratory tests during which their blood samples were taken.  The patients were also screened to confirm their status and to determine the type of HIV they have.  After undergoing the tests, the patients signed the consent form.

Speaking to reporters, Momodou Wuri Jallow, a patient from Guinea Conakry, said he has been living with the disease for about seven years.  Mr Jallow further revealed that he has been on ARVs for a month. 
Promise Doe, a Liberian, said she knew her HIV/Aids status last September.  She said she was motivated her to attend the President’s treatment programme after hearing about it on the news. 
Dalannda Jallow, a Bissau Guinean, said she was diagnosed as an HIV/Aids patient three years ago and that her husband died of the disease. 

According to Lamin Bob of Senegal, he knew of his HIV/Aids status about three years ago following unnecessary sicknesses. Mr Bob said he has a wife but is not sure whether she has the disease. 
Njowngudi Sarreh, a Malian, said his HIV/Aids status was revealed to him last year.  Mr Sarreh whose wife died of HIV/Aids, said he has been on ARVs since last December.  According to Mr Sarreh, he was working in Mauritania when his late wife’s elder sister told him about President Jammeh’s HIV/Aids treatment. 

Lamin Gassama, a patient in the fourth batch who is still undergoing treatment, said he has recovered tremendously which is why he brought his wife and child, who is about three years old to join the treatment.  He urged people to come out and join the President’s treatment rather than spreading the disease.  Lamin’s wife, Ramou Njie, who has also registered with the 5th batch said she knew of her status after her husband was diagnosed with the disease, and she was also falling sick every now and then. 

"Although I was scared when I was told about my HIV/Aids status, I had to come," said Ramou Njie. 
Ansumana Jammeh is the man in charge of the HIV/Aids treatment after being recruited by President Jammeh to take over.  Mr Jammeh said the treatment is very real and effective which is why people turn out to join the treatment. 

He called on others who are infected with the disease to come and benefit from the president’s HIV/Aids treatment.  Dr Tamsir Mbowe, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare said the process takes about a week before the actual start of the treatment.