Stigmatisation of TB patients affecting fight against the disease

Mozano(C/R), March 1, GNA - Reverend Alexuis Hubamoulda Jehu-Appiah, Founder of Alexuis Opportunity Foundation (ALOT), an integrated community-based tuberculosis programme, has called for intensive public education against the stigmatisation of tuberculosis (TB) patients, to encourage sufferers to seek treatment. He observed that a number of TB cases cannot be detected because of the public scorn patients attract, once their ailments are known by friends and family members. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Mozano in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region, where ALOT is based, Rev. Jehu-Appiah observed that multiple factors such as superstition, lack of access to health centres also accounts for the low detection of TB cases.

He said the foundation had embarked on public education in its operational areas of Mozano, Eshiem, Kokofu, Abamkrom, Ayamful, Akyimpim, Fomena, Mampong, Okwawu and Appiakrom Debiso to orientate especially the chiefs, opinion leaders and the schools on how to monitor and facilitate the treatment of TB patients. Rev. Jehu-Appiah said ALOT was caring for 50 People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) through the provision of Anti-Retroviral Drugs and nutritional support to help prolong the lives of the PLWHAs. "We are also organising home visits to distribute drug supplements to them," he said.

He said ALOT was cresting awareness on the need for the people to go for voluntary counselling and testing for HIV/AIDS. Rev. Jehu-Appiah said the sensitisation efforts had attracted the interest of the communities and called for donor support from public- spirited individuals and organisations to facilitate the war against HIV/AIDS, TB and other deadly diseases in the district. 1 March 10