By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, March 26, GNA – Alhaji Abdul-Rashid Imoro, Executive Director of Inspire to Act, a non-government organisation (NGO), has debunked a misconception that a person can acquire tuberculosis (TB) when a partner coughs during sexual intercourse even if one or both partners do not have the disease.
He said such misinformation undermined the fight against TB leading to increased infections and deaths.
He said: “TB is not a punishment from God. It is a disease like any other in our communities, and it is treatable.”
Alhaji Imoro stated these while addressing market women at the Aboabo Market in Tamale, as part of activities to mark this year’s World TB Day.
He said: “We chose to commemorate World TB Day with market women because many of them rarely have the time to check their health status or seek treatment. By engaging them here, we can increase screening and treatment helping to reduce TB cases in the region.”
The event, which was to correct misconceptions about TB and educate market women on how to protect themselves was organised in partnership with the TB Control Unit of Tamale Teaching Hospital, which also provided free TB screening for the women.
Alhaji Imoro explained that TB was a bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs and spreading through coughing and sneezing people living or working closely with infected individuals were at higher risk of contracting the disease and urged the participants to seek early screening and treatment, emphasising that TB was curable.
Mr. Ahmed Sadat Bin Atinkadem, Northern Regional TB Coordinator highlighted the significance of the
He said: “In 2024, we recorded 681 TB cases in the region with about 80 per cent of them occurring in Tamale and Sagnarigu Municipalities. All affected individuals are currently receiving free treatment.”
He said surveillance officers had intensified community outreach efforts to increase awareness, identify infected individuals, and ensure they received timely treatment.
Madam Alhassan Memunatu, a market woman, who participated in the screening for the first time, expressed gratitude to Inspire to Act and its partners.
She said “This exercise is very helpful. Now we know our TB status and how to keep ourselves and our families safe.”
World TB Day is observed annually on March 24, to highlight the global fight against TB, one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.
This year’s theme, “Yes We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” emphasizes the need for strong commitments and investments to eradicate TB worldwide.
GNA
EA/GRB