Public cautioned against stigmatizing TB patients

Busunya (B/A), Aug. 14, GNA - Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Dwomoh, Nkoranza North District Chief Executive, has cautioned the public against stigmatizing Tuberculosis (TB) patients.

"Everybody is at risk of contracting the disease and there is the need for the public to offer support, sympathy and encourage TB patients to seek early medical attention," he said.

Mr. Adjei-Dwomoh was speaking at the launch of this year's world TB day at Busunya, the district capital. He expressed regret about how people in their productive years, aged between 15 and 49 were contracting the disease and called on assembly members, traditional authorities, religious bodies and teachers to educate the people about the disease. Mr. Donatus Achibisa, District Director of Health Services, disclosed that more than 9 million people around the world were affected by the disease and that 2 million related deaths occurred yearly from TB.

He said statistics from the Ghana Health Service indicated that about 52,000 people were affected with the disease every year in Ghana and that a total number of 12 persons in Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South districts died of the disease every year. Mr. Achibisa advised the general public against excessive drinking and smoking, as people who indulged in these practices were at risk of contracting the disease.

In a welcoming address, Mrs. Eva Agbodo Saku, District Public Health Nurse, stressed that "TB is not caused by demons and witchcraft but rather by a germ and everyone is at risk". Mrs. Saku called on the people to join hands in the campaign against the spread of the disease.

In a related development, Mr. Richard Kwasi Hinneh, Nkoranza South District Director of Health Services, has reiterated that TB is an air-borne disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. He emphasized that TB was not only highly infectious but was also deadly if not effectively treated.

Mr. Hinneh was addressing the chiefs and people of Ahyiayem in the district at the launch of the TB day, which was under the theme "I am stopping TB".

He said in spite of control measures through the National Tuberculosis Programme, the prevalent rate in Brong-Ahafo was high. Mr. Hinneh said Upper East, Upper West and Brong-Ahafo Regions recorded high TB deaths and advised patients to avail themselves at the various health centres for treatment. He advised people who coughed for more than two weeks to seek medical attention from recognized health institutions to enable them know their status.

Mr. Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, District Chief Executive announced that a report from the Ministry of Health indicated that between 60 to 70 percent of those affected by TB were aged between 15 and 49. He said in 2007 about 654 TB patients were put on treatment in Brong-Ahafo Region with 53 out of the number from the Nkoranza district. Mr. Agyekum challenged chiefs, assembly members and churches to educate the people about the disease and for TB patients to seek early medical attention.

Earlier, students and teachers of the local Methodist primary school paraded the streets of the town with placards. Some of the placards read "TB is not a spiritual disease", "TB is not a curse", "TB can be prevented" and "traditional medicine cannot cure TB". 14 Aug. 09