NGO poised to eliminate tuberculosis

AMPA Resource Organisation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which provides social services and health education to rural communities, has taken initiatives to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) from the Suhum and Nsawam-Adoagyiri municipalities in the Eastern Region.

It has, therefore, trained more than 200 health volunteers and equipped them to promote high-case notifications in 90 communities in the two municipalities.

The volunteers are tasked to identify and urgently report suspected cases at the nearest health centres for immediate treatment.

Addressing a stakeholders meeting at Suhum, Mr Emmanuel K. Mintah, Executive Director for AMPA Resource Organisation, said the NGO is committed to increasing the annual case notification by 50 per cent.

He said the initiative was intended to complement the government’s efforts in achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goal (MDG) or at least get closer to achieving it.

Mr Mintah entreated stakeholders and other NGOs to integrate TB control activities in their programmes to advance efforts in eliminating the disease in the two municipalities.

Dr Samuel Agyemang Boateng, Suhum Municipal Health Director, urged the health volunteers to respect suspected TB patients and also endeavour to keep as confidential, records about them.

“This will encourage more suspected victims to confidently report cases for early treatment,” he said.

Dr Boateng also called on Ghanaians to take advantage of the financial support from donor organisations to eliminate TB in the country.

By the close of December 2013, the Municipality had recorded a total of 91 TB cases while that of Nsawam-Adoagyiri totaled 81.

The half year statistics for 2014 is already showing that Suhum has recorded 55 cases whereas Nsawam-Adoagyiri is pegged at 51 cases.