World Tuberculosis Day (TB) launched in Upper East

Paga, (U/E), July 6, GNA - Government is deeply committed to ensuring that there are adequate and effective drugs and logistics to treat Tuberculosis (TB) patients, Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister said.

He said this was aside the preventive and promotional interventions such as the vaccinations against the disease. Mr Wayongo disclosed this during the launch of World TB Day at Paga in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region on the theme; "The Move against Tuberculosis, Innovate to Accelerate Action". He noted that the disease was a threat to development and regional security and called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to halt the spread of the disease. Mr Woyongo called on Ghanaians to make health issues paramount in their endeavours and report sicknesses as early as possible to health facilities for immediate attention.

The Minister indicated that it was through accelerated joint action on the prevention, promotion and curative interventions that could radically reduce the disease burden on Ghanaian. Mr. Thomas Addah Dalu, District Chief Executive, said statistics indicated that about over 9.4 new TB cases were reported yearly worldwide. He appealed to community volunteers, traditional leaders, religious bodies and health care providers to help change attitudes and work with commitment to accelerate action to stop TB in Ghana. The Regional Director of Health, Dr. John Koku Awoornor-Williams, said the disease affected the productive ages of 15-59 and that losses in productivity due to TB was about four to seven percent of the gross domestic product. Dr Awoonor-Williams commended government for providing health facilities such as the community health programme service and called on other developmental partners to assist in that direction.