World TB Day Marked at Wamahinso

As part of efforts to raise awareness about

tuberculosis, Newmont Ahafo Mine in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service

and the German International Co-operation (GIZ) has organized a durbar at

Wamahinso in the Asutifi District of Brong-Ahafo to mark World Tuberculosis

Day.

Basic school

children and community members carried placards through the streets of

Wamahinso amidst Brass Band music ahead of the durbar, which was on the theme,

“Call for a World Free of TB.”

Addressing the

durbar, the Asutifi District Director of Health Services, Richard Kwasi Henneh,

explained that Tuberculosis is an infectious and contagious disease, which

mainly affects the lungs but could also damage other parts of the body.

He said

anyone who develops the disease can easily spread it to others by sneezing,

coughing or yawning without covering his mouth.

The District

Director emphasised that Tuberculosis is curable and its treatment is for free,

adding that the treatment of the disease lasts for six months and must not be

stopped for any reason.

One hundred and twelve (112) students and residents

of Wamahinso benefitted from the free medical screening on HIV/AIDS, Blood

Pressure and Sugar level after the durbar at Newmont’s cost.

Later, Newmont and Health officials extended the

education to the Kenyase Prisons where over a hundred inmates were sensitized

on the disease after which they also benefitted from free tuberculosis and HIV

tests, and had their weight, Blood Pressure and Sugar Levels checked as well.