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