Traditional authorities asked to support TB control
A medical field technician has appealed to traditional authorities to monitor and assist Tuberculosis (TB) patients in their localities to strictly adhere to TB drugs.
Ms Josephine Pomaa, Medical Field Technician of the Disease Control Unit of Sunyani Municipal Hospital, said TB spreads easily and at a fast rate which is why the collective responsibility of chiefs and queen mothers in brining the disease under control is needed.
Addressing some queen mothers at a TB education forum in Sunyani on Monday, Ms Pomaa reiterated the need for strict adherence to TB drugs as it is the easiest way to cure the disease.
The forum was organised by Hope for Future Generation (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working to improve education, health and socio-economic status of women and children.
Ms Pomaa said the spread of TB was very alarming in the municipality and as chiefs and queen mothers were the embodiment of the people, their partnership and commitment in helping to control the disease could not be underestimated.
She noted with regret that because of ineffective supervision and monitoring, many TB patients failed to adhere to the six-month drug administration, a situation which affected the control and cure of the disease.
Ms Pomaa said the disease was curable and drugs were administered free of charge and appealed to the general public to support in identifying TB patients and assist them to access medication.
Nana Yaa Nyamaa, Queen mother of Sunyani Traditional Areal, appealed to the NGO to intensify TB and HIV education especially in deprived communities.
She expressed concern about continuous public stigmatization of victims of the disease, which is a contributory factor to its spread.
Madam Rejoice Esinam, Administrative Secretary at the HFFG, explained that because of public stigma, HIV and TB patients felt shy and reluctant to go for medication.
She said the NGO was working to increase TB case detection, referral, treatment, care and support and appealed to the general public to support the programme.
Source: GNA