TB kills about 1000 in Upper East annually

About 1,000 people die annually of tuberculosis (TB) while an average of 200, report to health institutions for treatment, in the Upper East Region.

It is estimated that about 2,000 get infected with the disease every year but majority of them fail to seek medical treatment because of the stigma attached to the disease, Mr Samuel Angyodem, Regional TB Co-ordinator, said in an interview in Bolgatanga, on Thursday.

He explained that the mortality rate was because many of those infected either failed to report in good time or did not do so at all, while others reported late when the infection was in an advance stage.

Mr Angyodem also said because of the stigma, some people sent their TB patients to health institutions far away from their areas and failed to follow the right treatment due to the distance involved.

Mr Angyodem said TB treatment took about eight to 12 months, depending on the severity of the infection, adding that, the treatment had to be adhered to strictly even when the patient felt better otherwise the person would not be cured.