Ho, Dec. 26, GNA - Mr Theophilus Osei-Awuah, Volta Regional Tuberculosis (TB) Coordinator, on Thursday noted with discontent the continuous patronage of ice water and un-recommended sachet water by the public.

He was also downcast about how the youth especially ladies were enthused about the use of second-hand clothing and handkerchiefs. Mr Osei-Awuah made these expressions at a workshop organized by Divine Favour Agency (DFA), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) on " Tuberculosis and You", for the Freetown Community on Thursday at Ho. Mr Osei-Awuah said these acts were "highly unhygienic" and a threat to the fight against TB.

He said though TB had become curable it was important that the individual took some precautionary measures to prevent it since the stigma attached to the disease was still hard to fight. Mr Osei-Awuah said though the precautionary measures could cost the ordinary man a little, it was worth it because "health is wealth." He advised short and long distance travellers to carry their own water along to avoid buying unhygienic water from wayside sellers. Mr Osei-Awuah said "this is the only safe way the individual can guarantee his safety since our sellers cannot be trusted. "Most of them bagged anything and call it pure water and those using rubber blow air into the rubber before pouring the water into it", he explained.

Mr Osei-Awuah also advised against the taking of fresh milk, which he said was a major source of TB and urged people who were in love with it to boil it before taking.

Madam Patience Akosuavi Gemadi, Executive Director of DFA in a welcome address advised mothers on the importance of Baslli Calmete Guerin (BCG) immunization and prevention of TB in their children. She said the workshop was to create awareness on TB prevention and the understanding that it was curable.

Madam Gemadi said it was also to sensitise the youth on the need to reduce or completely stop discrimination and stigmatisation in their communities.

She later presented some detergents worth 2.5 million cedis to members of the community.

DFA is founded by retired nurses and other health professionals to promote the health of all.