The Tarkwa Nsueam Municipal Health Directorate would as part of activities to mark this year’s world Tuberculosis day organize outreach programme to screen for Tuberculosis (TB) in some selected communities in the Municipality.
Mr Emmanuel Affelkum, the Municipal Director of Health Services who announced this during a media briefing in Tarkwa to launch the day, said the Tarkwa Nsueam Municipality contributed about 20 percent of all reported Tuberculosis cases in the Western Region.
He attributed the increase to the dominating activities of small scale miners.
He said it was estimated that more than 95 percent of reported TB cases have a history of illegal mining either directly or indirectly.
The day will be celebrated tomorrow March 24.
Mr Affelkum said even though they have only four diagnostic facilities, the health directorate over the years had made significant progress in TB case detection, management and outcome assessment.
He stated that between 2013 and 2016, a total of 619 TB cases were diagnosed, out of which 351 tested positive and 175 tested negative.
The Municipal Health Director mentioned inadequate diagnostic sites, logistics and laboratory equipment, erratic shortage of TB drugs and non-adherence to treatment regime by clients as some challenges confronting them.
He said as the World Health Organization plans to end TB by 2030, the Directorate would organize training for health staff, extend the screening programme to illegal miners and prayer camps.
Assembly members will also be encouraged to advocate for TB elimination at the unit committee levels as well as intensify their monthly review meeting and join TB/HIV support visits to health facilities, he added
According to Mr Affelkum, ending TB would only be achieved with greater collaboration within and across government agencies, and with partners from civil societies, communities, researchers, the private sectors and development agencies.
This year’s world TB day under the theme “United to end TB” would be in Tarkwa in the Western region.
The Minister of Health, Western Regional Minister, Director General of Health Service, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Regional Director of Health Service, Programme Manager, National TB control programme are expected to grace the occasion.
GNA
