The Upper East Regional Tuberculosis Monitoring and Evaluation officer, Suuk Wahab Laar, has sounded the alarm over a persistent increase in Tuberculosis (TB) cases within the region.
According to him, TB cases have surged from 615 in 2018 to a concerning 795 in 2023.
“In 2018, the whole region recorded 650 cases, which slightly decreased to 624 in 2019. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 saw a notable fall, with 550 cases reported. Unfortunately, the numbers rebounded in 2021, reaching 609 cases, and escalated further to 753 in 2022 before peaking at 795 in 2023,” he stated.
Speaking on A1 Radio in connection with World Tuberculosis Day, the officer underscored the urgent need for heightened awareness and proactive healthcare measures to address the TB crisis effectively.
He further urged individuals to prioritize their health and take preventative actions seriously, stressing that early detection, proper treatment, and adherence to prescribed medication regimens were crucial to curbing the transmission of TB.
“But there are a lot of people who still sit at home with the belief that this is just a normal thing and will not come to the health centers for checkups, and at the end of the day, their condition will degenerate to type 3. At this point, it is always dangerous because they can transmit it to others. So, I want to plead that people should do regular checkups,” he added.
Meanwhile, he has indicated that the health directorate has begun intensifying efforts to raise awareness about TB, encouraging communities to seek timely medical attention and adhere to recommended protocols.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah| Bolgatanga|
