Breman Kokoso (C/R), May 15, GNA - Tuberculosis cases in the Central Region is reducing drastically following intensive education by health workers and Community Based Health Volunteers, the Regional Tuberculosis Coordinator on Thursday observed.

Mr Charles Kofi Eshun, the Coordinator who announced this at the launch of World TB Day at Breman Kokoso in the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa (AOB) District, said the Region's TB case reduced from 1,042 in 2005 to 904 in 2006.

The Launch was under theme: "I am stopping TB." Mr Eshun said apart from the Gomoa and Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (K.E.E.A) Districts, the number of people with the disease in the rest of the Districts declined in 2006 with the 2007 statistics soon be released.

He said the number of people that contracted the disease in the

Gomoa District, however, increased from 138 in 2005 to 148 in 2006

but explained that, most of cases were recorded in the Refugee Camp

at Gomoa Buduburam. Mr Eshun said the number of people with TB in K.E.E.A District

also went up slightly at 106 in 2006 from 101 in 2005. He said under the TB Control Programme, there were effective

drugs for treating the disease free of charge with financial support to

needy patients. Mr Eshun said TB remained a major health issue with over a third of the world population exposed to the disease which explained why the World Health Organization and 500 other organizations have initiated

the annual celebration of World TB Day. Dr Luiz Gohungo Amoussou, District Director of Health Service

said at present TB patients could use capsules or take an injection for

treatment. He appealed to the public to encourage their relatives and friends

who have been coughing for more than 10 days to see the health

providers for diagnoses, since early detection of disease hastened

treatment. Mr Emmanuel Adjei Domson, the District Chief Executive for the

area, said the government was spending huge sums of money to

purchase drugs and urged Ghanaians to ensure environmental

cleanliness to avoid contracting diseases. On elections, the DCE urged those who have attained 18 years and

above to register during the opening of the Voters' Register to enable

them exercise their franchise. Nana Tutu Abban II, chief of Kokoso who chaired the programme,

appealed to the people to do everything possible to minimize the spread

of TB in the area.