Help reduce TB stigmatisation -Ghanaians told

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The high prevalent rate of the Tuberculosis (TB) disease has been attributed to the stigmatization of those affected with the disease and their families.

Dr Joseph Obeng, Medical Officer in charge of the Chest Directorate of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) who made the observation, explained that, victims of the disease who dared to disclose their health status were shunned and due to such stigmatization, they hid the disease thus infecting many others.

The Medical Officer was speaking at a durbar organised by X- Change Delta, a civil society organisation at Ejisu on Tuesday for students selected from basic schools in the Municipality.

Chiefs and TB Control Volunteers from 22 communities who had already undergone training facilitated the X-Change Delta project.
Dr Obeng said the disease, which could be threatening was cured free of charge and advised members of the public to report all suspected TB cases consisting of frequent coughs to a Medical facility.

He also called on the media to intensify public education on TB control in the Country.
Miss Efua Arku, Programmes Director of X-Change Delta said, the NGO has so far trained 30 volunteers in the Ejisu -Juaben Municipality to educate the people on the best way they could control the spread of the disease, adding, “we are committed to partnering the government to eradicate the TB disease.”