Report any health worker who charges TB patients

Wa, April 10, GNA - Tuberculosis patients have been advised to report any health worker who charges them for the treatment of the disease.

Dr Francis Banka, acting Upper West Regional Director of Health Services gave this advice when he welcomed 32-year-old Isaac Annan, a Ghanaian walker who has embarked on a walk across the country to create public awareness about TB, its prevention, control and treatment.

He said the treatment of TB throughout the country is free and patients have the mandate to report any health worker who takes money from them after treatment to the health authorities.

According to the acting director, TB is the highest contagious killer disease in the country and therefore called on the public to avoid overcrowding which speeds up the spread of the disease.

He said there are effective drugs that can treat the disease within eight months but pointed out that "it is important to prevent it than to try to cure it". Mr David Osei-Wusu, the Regional Minister, said the government would continue to support the TB programme until it is completely eradicated.

He called on organisations and individuals to support Isaac Annan to create awareness on the dangers of TB since the disease is dreadful and disastrous to humanity.

Replying, Isaac Annan called on the public to stop attributing the spread of TB to the activities of witches and wizards but to adopt preventive measures that would eradicate the disease.

He said TB has killed and deformed a lot of people in the country which has necessitated his nation-wide walk to arrest the reoccurrence of such deaths and deformities.