The Greater Accra Tuberculosis (TB) Advocacy Committee, under the National Tuberculosis Programme, has called on the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to pay more attention to TB cases in their communities.
This is because TB kills faster than HIV/AIDS but often remains shrouded in silence and misinformation, which has led to delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment options, and unnecessary suffering.
The Committee also called for more coordination between the assemblies and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to access funding to support vulnerable TB patients in the communities.
“Ensure representation of TB membership on the various assemblies’ HIV/AIDS Committees,” they stated.
The call was made at a day-long TB advocacy meeting of coordinators to facilitate the development of requisite laws and the implementation of guidelines to address the numerous challenges facing TB patients.
Madam Jane Amerley Oku of the Janok Foundation and Chairperson of the TB Advocacy Committee said the deteriorating situation of patients was due to little consideration being given to the disease, which has greatly impacted the health of the people.
She advised policymakers to focus on TB issues and incorporate its funding into the national budget, adding, “It is crucial that, collectively, we foster an environment where discussions about TB are not only encouraged but normalized.”
Madam Oku said, “Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration. Together, we can create a future where every person affected by TB has access to the care, support, and information they need.”
She urged the coordinators to continue their advocacy programs in their communities to broaden stakeholder consultations and speed up the process of developing a law that would set aside a special fund for TB issues to address the challenges.
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