The Ministry of Health and The Netherlands Embassy have agreed to intensify their cooperation in fighting tuberculosis in Ghana.

The €21.6 million agreement for which €7.56 million is covered by an ORIO (facility for infrastructure development) grant by The Netherlands government, will see the commencement of the ‘Accelerated Tuberculosis Case Detection in Ghana’.

The two-year project will boost the currently low TB detection rate in Ghana where 63,000 people suffer from TB annually.

According to the 2013 national TB prevalence survey, 264 out of every 100,000 Ghanaians are affected by this disease; however, when timely diagnosed and promptly treated, the disease can be cured and controlled.

Minister of Health, Alex Segbefia, in his remarks said the cooperation with The Netherlands will enable Ghana to increase its detection rate to 85 percent and as such will mean a major improvement to the health of many.

He said the equipment which will be procured through the agreement will be used nationwide to diagnose TB cases as well as other health cases.

Mr Segbefia said in a country with 33 TB prevalence rate and 87 percent success in cure, the agreement would help reach more people with early detection and treatment.

Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands, Hans Docter, said the embassy has been active in the healthcare sector in Ghana for years, with its current focus being supporting activities in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“This project serves as an example of innovative investment in e-health and actively promotes innovative and private sector-driven approach to the sector,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of Delft Imaging System, an organisation that will supply a total of two digital imaging systems, consisting of a combination of fixed units and mobile clinics as well as accompanying IT services, Guido Greets, who was also at the meeting expressed his excitement at the commencement of the project.