Doctor calls for end to stigmatization of TB patients

Berekum (B/A), July 9, GNA - Dr. Aaron Offei, Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health Services, has appealed to the general public to remove all stigmatization associated with people living with tuberculosis as that prevented them from seeking medical care. He expressed worry that whilst the detection of the disease was still very low, many people were not taking advantage of the availability and improvements in treatment.

He was speaking at the regional celebration of World Tuberculosis Day under the theme: "I am stopping TB" at Berekum.

"There have been a lot of developments in the area of treatment including free access to health care through the efforts of the international community", Dr Offei said, adding that the period of treatment had also been cut down considerably from 18 to six months. "The diagnosis of treatment has also improved drastically whilst there are also incentive packages called enablers package with the view to motivating patients to seek early treatment", he said. The Regional Director expressed unhappiness about the defaulter rate in the treatment of the disease, saying it stood at 2.5 per cent. He therefore advised patients to complete the full cycle of treatment to avoid becoming a burden to themselves and the society. "We do not have to be shy about the disease which is curable. If you default you increase your vulnerability to drug resistance and you become a danger to society", he stressed.

Mr. Stephen Laud Oppong, Berekum Municipal Chief Executive, said 664 cases of TB were reported in the Brong-Ahafo Region last year, out of which Berekum contributed 51 percent.

He attributed the loss of many lives through the disease in the municipality to failure and late report for treatment and also failure to take prescribed medicine to achieve cure. Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo II, Omanhene of Berekum who presided, appealed to inhabitants of the municipality to keep proper sanitation and good environmental practices to help reduce the prevalence of the disease. 09 July 09