About 10% of TB patients die every year

About 10 percent of people infected with Tuberculosis (TB) in the country died annually, Mr Emmanuel Obeng-Hinneh, the Brong-Ahafo Regional TB/HIV Coordinator said on Thursday.

He said though TB medication was administered free of charge, detection rate was still low in the Region.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview to mark the International TB Day in Sunyani, Mr Obeng-Hinneh said TB patients could be treated if they strictly adhered to drugs for the stipulated six months.

He explained that the death rate of TB was becoming alarming, and appealed to the general public to support in the TB education and detection.

Mr Hinneh emphasized that TB could be totally eradicated, but expressed regret about the stigmatization of patients, which according to him was contributing to the fight against the disease.

The Regional TB coordinator said because of the high stigma and myth associated with the disease, those infected with the bacteria felt shy to report for medication.

Source: GNA