About 400 people educated on Tuberculosis March 29, 2011

Ankukrom (C/R), March 29, GNA – a day’s health educational programme for about 400 people including school children has ended at Ankukrom in Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of the Central Region.

The programme coincided with the World TB Day celebrations on March 24.

It was organized by the Hope For Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organization operating in the district in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Education Service.

The beneficiary communities include; Abowinmu, Ankukrom, Bedukrom and Brofoyedur.

Earlier, placard bearing school children took to the street from Abowinmu to Ankukrom.  some of the placards read: “Think TB”, “TB is Curable”, “TB is Free, get Help Now”, Seek Early Treatment” and “Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol”.

The Bedukrom Drama Group and Brofoyedur School Health Club thrilled the attendants on TB, its causes, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment and general advice to herald the occasion.

A review report on TB by the District TB Control Officer, Mr Emmanuel Sarfo said in 2008 the district recorded 82 cases and 87 cases in 2009 while 84 were recorded in 2010.

Mr Sarfo said 76 and 74 out of 82 and 87 above (2008/2009) have been cured and are now normal.

He told the gathering that in a population of 100,000 people about 284 are subject to contract the disease in a year hence the need for “on the move match against TB” was very essential.

Mr Sarfo told the people that TB is infectious and that people who get severe cough continuously for two weeks or more should not hesitate to report at the hospital for diagnosis, adding that “laboratory test and treatment are all free.”

The District Director of Ghana Health Service, Madam Doris Ahelegbe said TB was one of the communicable diseases that one can contract easily through the air hence the need for all to fight it.

Madam Doreen Enninson, District Planning Officer, who deputized for the District Chief Executive, Mr Peter Light Koomson, advised the people to register with the National Health Insurance Scheme to ensure free access to health delivery and good life at all times.