By Linda Naa Deide Aryeetey
Accra, March 24, GNA – Ghana in 2024 achieved the highest Tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate of 90.6 per cent of the 20,599 new cases detected.
The current treatment rate exceeded the national TB treatment target of 90 per cent for 2025. Similarly, deaths among patients on anti-TB treatment was 12, 200, representing 5.1 per cent of TB death rate, a reduction in the previous trend ranging from eight to 10 per cent.
Despite the success chalked in TB cases detection, 24,000 of the estimated 44, 000 cases were missed due to inadequate funding, Dr Yaw Adusi-Poku, the Programme Manager, National TB Control Programme, said at the commemoration of the 2025 World TB Day in Accra on Monday.
He said, last year, Ghana identified 900 children with tuberculosis infections in the brain, spine and other organs, out of a projected target of 16,000 children.
Dr Adusi-Poku said the country presently needed commodities for TB treatment and control for the year 2025 and 2026.
He called on stakeholders to invest more in the screening of adults and children to aid in early case detection and treatment.
More than 70 districts have no GeneXpert machines and for Paediatric TB, Dr Adusi-Poku said, adding that currently only 77 facilities had digital x-ray machines.
Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, called on all to take decisive actions to end TB.
He said the Government was determined to increase funding for TB control activities, essential services and medical supplies.
“The government is committed to improving access to diagnostic tools like Gen Xpert and digital Xray’s to ensure that no live is lost to TB,” the Minister said.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Director General, Ghana Health Service (GHS), said Ghana had, over the years, lacked the will and resources to screen people and provide the needed treatment.
He said the fight against TB required a strong commitment from leaders at all levels, with adequate funding for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Prof Akoriyea said the GHS would intensify the capacity of healthcare workers to be abreast of the latest TB treatment interventions.
The Director General said the Service would review the TB strategic plan to align with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The World TB Day is celebrated on March 24, each year, to raise public awareness on the deadliest infectious killer and its devastating health, social and economic impact on people around the world.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) urges countries to commit by ensuring rapid implementation of its guidance and policies, strengthen national strategies and full funding.
It calls on leaders to invest in TB prevention with proper financing, stating that TB prevention success depends on community leadership, civil society action, and cross-sector collaboration.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that most often affects the lungs. It spreads through the air when people with TB cough, sneeze or spit. TB is preventable and curable.
Those infected but cured of the disease cannot transmit it. TB disease is usually treated with antibiotics and can be fatal without treatment.
Symptoms include prolonged cough (sometimes with blood), chest pain, weakness, fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
GNA
ABD