TB cases decline in Central Region

reman Kokoso (C/R), May 15, GNA - Tuberculosis cases in the Central Region is reducing drastically following intensive education by health workers and Community Based Health Volunteers, the Regional
Tuberculosis Coordinator on Thursday observed.
Mr Charles Kofi Eshun, the Coordinator who announced this at the launch of World TB Day at Breman Kokoso in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) District, said the Region's TB case reduced from 1,042 in 2005 to 904 in 2006.
The Launch was under theme: "I am stopping TB." Mr Eshun said apart from the Gomoa and

Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (K.E.E.A) Districts, the number of people with the disease in the rest of the Districts declined in 2006 with the 2007 statistics soon be released.
He said the number of people that contracted the disease in the Gomoa District, however, increased from 138 in 2005 to 148 in 2006 but explained that, most of cases were recorded in the Refugee Camp at Gomoa Buduburam.
Mr Eshun said the number of people with TB in K.E.E.A District also went up slightly at 106 in 2006 from 101 in 2005.
He said under the TB Control Programme, there were effective drugs for treating the disease free of charge with financial support to needy patients.
Mr Eshun said TB remained a major health issue with over a third of the world population exposed to the disease which explained why the World Health Organization and 500 other organizations have initiated the annual celebration of World TB Day.
Dr Luiz Gohungo Amoussou, District Director of Health Service said at present TB patients could use capsules or take an injection for treatment.
He appealed to the public to encourage their relatives and friends who have been coughing for more than 10 days to see the health providers for diagnoses, since early detection of disease hastened treatment.
Mr Emmanuel Adjei Domson, the District Chief Executive for the area, said the government was spending huge sums of money to purchase drugs and urged Ghanaians to ensure environmental cleanliness to avoid contracting diseases.
On elections, the DCE urged those who have attained 18 years and above to register during the opening of the Voters' Register to enable them exercise their franchise.
Nana Tutu Abban II, chief of Kokoso who chaired the programme, appealed to the people to do everything possible to minimize the spread of TB in the area.