Support people with TB to seek treatment

Sekyere Krobo (W/R) Sept. 19, GNA- Madam Priscilla Amoah, Acting District Director of the Ghana Health Service has warned against the stigmatisation of tuberculosis (TB) patients.

She stated that some TB patients do not seek medical treatment because they fear that when people get to know their status, they will isolate them.

Madam Amoah who said this at the World TB Day at Sekyere Krobo in the Mpohor Wassa East District on Friday added that: "Gone are the days when people thought TB couldn't be cured, it has a cure and its treatment is free too".

She said society should assist TB patients by encouraging them to visit the clinic regularly for their medication to ensure speedy and successful completion of TB treatment.

She noted that TB treatment is free to all and that millions of people could have been saved from dying if they had received treatment.

"We must constantly educate ourselves on the dangers of the disease and take precautions," she stressed.

Mr. Joseph K. Arthur, the District Disease Control Officer, indicated that the District Health Directorate has trained community health workers to quickly identify people suffering from the disease and provide them treatment.

He mentioned the unwillingness of people to seek treatment as a major challenge in the fight against the disease and urged patients to complete the six months treatment to avoid other complications. 20 Sept.09