TB patients complain about hostility from health workers

Hostility towards tuberculosis patients, especially those from the rural areas, by some health workers, has been identified as a major setback to the treatment of the disease.

This came to light at a tuberculosis awareness campaign organised in the Adaklu district on Tuesday by GOSANET Foundation with support from Stop TB Ghana Partnership and National TB Control Programme of Ghana Health Service.

Some of the patients who narrated their ordeals said some health workers allegedly insulted and humiliated them in the presence of other people.

Ms Pearl Baah, Adaklu District TB Co-ordinator, empathized with the victims and encouraged them to seek medical care for their conditions because there was bound to be some “bad nuts” among health professionals, just like any other profession.

She said TB was curable if detected early, and advised people with prolonged coughing to seek medical care while those diagnosed with TB should eat balanced diets to help strengthen their immune system.

Ms Baah also advised people to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing in public, so as to curb the spread of the disease.

Mr. Samuel Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, disclosed that his organisation would soon train 30 volunteers, including teachers, pupils and community members; from 12 selected Junior and Senior High Schools and six communities in the district, on basic facts about TB, social mobilization and sputum collection.

He said the trainees would partner chiefs, and opinion leaders in their communities, to promote TB case detection and treatment, in order to eliminate the disease from the country.

Mr. Atidzah said similar educational campaigns would be held in some selected communities in the district, adding that GOSANET Foundation was assisting some communities in its catchment area to promote their socio-economic lives.