At least 90 per cent of Ghanaians are currently living with Tuberculosis (TB) infections (bacteria), Mrs Charlotte Koranteng, Field Technician at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital said on Wednesday.
She explained that the infections had however not developed into TB because the immune systems of those infected remain stronger and continue to fight the bacteria.
Mrs Koranteng made this known at a media sensitisation seminar organised by the Hope for Future Generation (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Sunyani.
It was aimed at educating the participants on a six- month project the NGO in collaboration with National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP) is undertaken in some municipalities and districts in the region.
Mrs Koranteng explained the need for Ghanaians to change their eating habit and eat more fruits, live a healthy lifestyle, avoid excessive alcohol and drug abuse to keep their immune system stronger at all times.
She said immediately the immune systems of infected persons become weaker; the TB bacteria begin to spread rapidly in the body.
Mrs Koranteng added that symptoms such as regular coughing, feverish, chills, loss of weight among others begin to manifest wherever the immune system become weak.
She explained that as an airborne infection, the disease has no social class and called for effective collaboration from all and sundry in helping to improve on detection rate and bring it under control.
Mrs Koranteng said from January to April 4, the municipal hospital recorded 20 TB cases with 15 of them being HIV patients.
She said administration of TB drugs, treatment and test are free and appealed to the public to encourage patients to go for drugs.
Madam Rose Ameyaw, Brong-Ahafo Coordinator of HFFG and the Project Coordinator observed that TB case detection rate in the Municipality is extremely low.
She explained that the main objective of the project is to increase TB case detection rate in the implementing municipalities and districts.
Madam Ameyaw said under the project, volunteers are engaged and trained to undertake house-to-house education on TB while queen mothers and media practitioners are also taught to carry out TB education.
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