Let adopt proper coughing etiquette to kick TB - Manager

Mr. Samuel Akoto, National Project Manager of the Kick TB Ghana Project, on Saturday called for proper coughing etiquette among the populace as a measure of reducing or avoiding the spread of the Tuberculosis (TB) virus.

He said though many had not checked their status on TB to ascertain the negativity or positivity of the individual, covering ones mouth, especially at public and open spaces during coughing, could go a long way in controlling and kicking the virus.

Mr. Akoto said this in an interview with the GNA at Takoradi during a presentation to the Metropolitan Director of Education.

He said the country was one of the high burdened countries across the globe regarding TB, which is the leading cause of many preventable deaths particularly among people with HIV.

He said the control and management of TB has therefore become governmental priority to enable the country to become TB free and also stem the stigma attached to the disease.

Mr. Akoto said Kick TB Ghana in partnership with the National TB Control Programme, had develop series of campaigns with the focus on soccer among school children.

He added that the basic schools have been selected within the three operational districts of the projects: Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Area, Tarkwa and Akontombra, where soccer and cards playing would be used as a tool to carry TB messages and education to the school children.

The Project Manager said educators at the selected schools would be given training to equip them with knowledge on TB, to be integrated into their routine teaching and interaction with learners during and after the campaign.

Mr. Akoto was of the belief that the school children, when educated, could help in educating their parents, siblings and friends.**