TB Global Fund gives to patients

Kade (E/R), July 14, GNA - The TB Global Fund, an international organisation has made a food donation valued at about 2,000 Ghana Cedis to 30 tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment at the St. Dominic's Hospital at Akwatia in the Eastern Region. Each of the patients received two mini bags of rice weighing five kilograms each, 10 tins of sardines and two plastic bottles of cooking oil.

Making the presentation to the patients at the hospital, the Kwaebibirem District Director of Health Services, Dr. Patrick Amo Mensah said the donation was a collaboration between the Fund, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

Dr. Amo Mensah appealed to the beneficiaries not to sell, but eat the food to enhance their treatment process. He said TB was curable and it was very important for all suspected cases to be reported at health facilities for early treatment to commence.

Dr. Amo Mensah said the disease was airborne and appealed to the general public to try and cover their mouths when coughing in public. He said patients should eat well, avoid overcrowding and sleep in well ventilated rooms.

The District Director commended Community-Based Surveillance Officers (CBS) who have been assisting in sending all suspected cases to health facilities for early diagnoses and treatment. Receiving the items on behalf of the patients for distribution, Mr Seth Larbi, Nursing Administrator of the hospital expressed gratitude to the donors and was hopeful the programme would be sustained. Mr Larbi appealed to the patients not to default in their treatment and eat well at the same time, in order to speed their recovery. 13 July 07