Residents of Kwabenya screened on World TB Day

By Albert Allotey

Accra, March 25, GNA – The Ga East Municipal Assembly in collaboration with the Ga East Municipal Health Directorate has held the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day celebration with a free health screening for traders and residents around the Kwabenya Market in Accra.

The theme for this year’s World TB Day was, “Yes..! We can End TB..!  

The Day is celebrated on March 24 globally every year to create awareness of the disease and educate to help curb its spread among the people. 

Dr Maame Yaa Nhyirah Essel, the Ga East Municipal Director of Ghana Health Service, in an address said TB is airborne disease and that it was a threat to everyone’s health and a public health concern. 

She however said it was preventable and curable, and that people who have cough problem should go for early detection and the adherence to treatment, since it takes a few months to complete the medication.

She said across the globe everyone is talking about it, everyone is pushing for action and that comes down to individuals to educate people by sharing what they have learnt about the disease. 

Dr Essel called on the public to be on the alert to ensure that symptoms like coughing, weight loss, fever, chest pains, bloody sputum are reported early for early detection and treatment. 

She noted that stigmatisation had been a major challenge and urged families and community members to encourage people with the disease to rather go for screening and treatment. 

She said: “As Ghana Health Service and Municipal Health Directorate we are committed to continuing to support the work of educating the people to end TB as the theme of the celebration stands for.” 

Mr Bright Paul Mintah, the Presiding Member of the Ga East Municipal Assembly and the chairman for the occasion reaffirmed his commitment to supporting awareness, community education, and healthcare delivery to reduce the stigma associated with TB. 

He encouraged residents of Kwabenya to support affected persons with the disease rather than stigmatising them. 

“Good health is a shared responsibility and together we can build a healthy and stronger Ga East Municipality. Let us continue to champion public awareness,” Mr Mintah stated. 

Mr Maxwell Attah Ofori, the Ga East Municipal TB Coordinator, said it has been envisaged that by 2030 countries must end TB hence the theme “Yes..! We can End TB..!” and for that matter the Ghana Government had provided equipment for free testing of the disease. 

“So, everyone who is having a cough can go to the Ga East Municipal Hospital to be tested free. It is not a matter of buying cough mixture from the pharmacy. It would not help,” he urged. 

The people were screened for general health problems including glucose level, blood pressure, and TB. 

GNA