Stigma posing challenge to TB control

Wa, Sept 15, GNA - The Upper West Regional Directorate of Health Services, has identified the lack of diagnostic centres and stigmatization, as the major causes of the low Tuberculosis (TB) detection rate in the region.

According to the Directorate, the region projected 1,881 cases for detection between January and June this year, but only 132 cases were actually reported. In 2005 out of 1,817 cases earmarked for discovery within the same period, 234 cases were identified and this dwindled to 181 out of 1,818 cases projected in 2006, and in 2007, they discovered 164 cases out of an estimated 1,849 cases. At a workshop on TB at Wa at the weekend, Dr Alexis Nabei Fubah, Regional Director of Health Services described the TB situation in the region as very worrisome because of the unhealthy marriage between the disease and HIV.

Mr Nabei Fubah said; "We need to declare TB as a national disaster or emergency as Japan did after the Second World War and succeeded. The workshop was organized by Afro-Global Alliance, a non-governmental organization for paramount chiefs and women leaders in the Upper West Region. It was aimed at creating avenues for their involvement in TB control programmes in their communities. The Regional Director said, as a result of the low detection rate, people suffering from TB infect about 15 to 20 people before the person dies. Chief Austin Obiefuna, President of Afro-Global Alliance noted that a lot of misconceptions were hindering the control of the disease in Africa. Chief Obiefuna appealed to traditional rulers to help to demystify the disease so that people infected could feel free to report. Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister also urged the chiefs to eliminate cultural practices and beliefs that prevented people from seeking treatment when infected.