Health authorities are reporting increasing rate of tuberculosis in the Ashanti Region, and officials blame it on misconception among even highly educated people.
Three thousand, three hundred and eighty-seven (3,387) people were diagnosed of the infection last year, 346 more than reported cases in 2012.
This makes it the region with the highest recorded cases in Ghana followed by Greater Accra for the year under review.
About 4,000 cases are feared to have escaped health authorities because infected persons resorted to prayer camps and other unorthodox facilities for treatment.
Of more concern is the fact that more female patients are missed, compared to male with the ratio, two–is-to-one (2:1).
Regional Deputy Director of Health, Dr. Joseph Oduro, fears the high infection rate poses a danger to the public.
According to him, one patient can pass the disease on to between 10 and 15 people in a crowded environment.
Dr. Oduro says the tendency for people to impute spirituality to the disease poses a major challenge to efforts at its eradication.
He is therefore worried patients die slowly and painfully for a disease that is curable and treatment is free.
Regional Director of Health, Dr. Alexis Nang-Baifudah, revealed the health directorate is revising its strategies by involving religious and other groups in public education.
Meanwhile, 10 to 15 percent of TB patients are what is called asymptomatic, which means they do not show symptoms.
Health authorities are therefore entreating the public to diagnose quickly especially persons coughing for more than two weeks.
Latest Stories
-
‘We are sorry but we need to stay calm’ – Andre Ayew on Black Stars recent form
15 mins -
Election 2024: Bawumia dares Mahama to two-man debate
21 mins -
Bawumia is a man of integrity and discipline unlike Mahama – Miracles Aboagye
25 mins -
Ejisu by-election: NDC is sponsoring Aduomi; don’t vote for him – Bawumia to NPP supporters
29 mins -
Freedom of speech must engender development
32 mins -
Ghana Hajj Board announces flight schedules for 2024 pilgrimage
38 mins -
T-bills: Interest rates increased for first time since January 1; government fails to meet target
2 hours -
Ghana retains 10th position with lowest fuel price in Africa
2 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for new Jakpa palace in Damongo
3 hours -
Will Ghana’s democracy stand the test of time in the 2024 elections?
5 hours -
Hindsight: Dreams fairytale run proved one thing; it is possible
7 hours -
God makes rulers, not you; you can’t choose your successor – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
7 hours -
Contributors own SSNIT, they must decide who becomes its Director-General – Austin Gamey
8 hours -
Move away from theory-based learning towards practical learning approaches – AUCC President to students
8 hours -
Haaland scores as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest
10 hours