Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases reported to the various health institutions in the Kumasi Metropolis, excluding the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), reduced from 1,034 in 2006 to 960 last year.
In 2005, as many as 1,187 people suffering from tuberculosis were reported to have visited health institutions in the metropolis for treatment.
The Medical Director in charge of the Kumasi Metropolis, Dr Joseph Oduro, who confirmed this during an interview with the Daily Graphic, pointed out that the Kumasi Metropolitan Health Directorate was putting adequate measures in place to ensure that all patients suffering from the disease sourced for comprehensive treatment, thereby reducing the rate of infection.
Explaining, he said it was only when infected people reported for treatment and rigidly followed the prescription and requisite period for treatment that they would be completely cured.
Dr Oduro pointed out that the treatment of TB was free and that the Ministry of Health also catered for the feeding and transport fares of patients to enable them attend hospitals regularly for review.
He said a number of volunteers had also been trained to visit victims of the disease to supervise and encourage them as they took their drugs. This, he said, enabled the victims to complete the period for treatment, He therefore urged people who had traces of the disease to visit hospitals to receive treatment and reduce the spread of the disease.
On the number of HIV-positive cases diagnosed over the period, Dr Oduro said in 2005, 812 cases were diagnosed in the various health institutions, excluding the KATH, but the number reduced to 599 the following year.
He said last year, as many as 1,215 HIV-positive cases were diagnosed in the metropolis, and out of the number, 250 of them regularised their visits to health institutions to receive treatment.
He said in 2006, only 13 out of the 599 people who tested positive for the dreadful HIV diseases in the metropolis sought treatment and expressed concern about the low turnout.
Dr Oduro said in 2005, as many as 18,657 people suffering from cardiovascular diseases reported for treatment but the number reduced to 17,680 in 2006.
He said last year, hypertension cases reported to the various health institutions in the metropolis, excluding that of the KATH, shot up to 33,050. He attributed the rapid increase of the disease to lifestyles adopted by the people. He said eating fatty and
more nutritious food without adequate exercise put people at the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases.
He said the disease was now among the top 10 killers which should be taken seriously and, therefore, advised the public to make time and exercise daily to enhance blood circulation. He said it was equally important for the public to eat more fruits and vegetables to reduce risk of acquiring diseases.
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