Seek treatment for TB in hospitals and not prayer camps

Assin Dompim(C/R), May 19, GNA - Mr Kwabena Karikari-Apau, Assin North Municipal Chief Executive on Friday appealed to Tuberculosis patients to seek prompt treatment at health facilities instead of prayer camps.

He pointed out that the disease was curable and its treatment was free and urged all and sundry to join in the crusade against the spread of the disease through collective and individual efforts and refrain from stigmatizing those infected.

Mr Karikari-Apau made the appeal when addressing a forum to mark TB Day in the municipality at Assin Dompim.

He said Government had taken the initiative with the provision of free medical treatment and food packages for TB patients. Mr Karikari-Apau therefore, urged Ghanaians to complement Government's efforts through preventive measures such as immunizing children against the disease, ensuring environmental cleanliness, avoiding overcrowding, providing adequate ventilation in their rooms and eating balanced diets.

He noted that simple habits such as covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and avoiding indiscriminate spitting could assist in controlling the spread of the disease.

Mr Karikari-Apau said Government recognized the critical role the health sector played in national development and the expansion of health facilities, improvement of logistics and conditions of service for health workers, were some of the practical demonstration of Government's commitment to improve health care delivery system in the country. He said the assembly and Assin North Municipal Health Directorate were collaborating to improve on health care delivery to enhance health care within the municipality and asked the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Dr Nii Adjetey, Assin North Municipal Director of Health Services, said the Day was celebrated to create awareness of the disease and appealed to the people to educate their friends and relatives. Mr Agyei Kyere Blankson, Assin North Municipal TB Coordinator said 82 cases of the disease were recorded in 2007 as against 56 in 2006. He attributed some causes of the disease to drinking and smoking and appealed to Ghanaians to refrain from such habits. 19 May 08