“TB Causes more than 4,000 deaths daily” Says MOHS

Ministry of Health and Sanitation has on Wednesday 23rd March, 2016 commemorated World Tuberculosis day on the theme “Unite to End TB”.

The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Abubakar Fofanah said, TB is the world’s leading infectious killer, causing more than 4,000 deaths every day. He said the burden of the disease is serious enough to possess a significant threat to the social and economic development of any country, unless effective concerted measures are taken to combat the disease.

Dr. Fofanah said that, the bright side of all is that tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, adding that last year in Sierra Leone 12,103 cases of Tuberculosis were reported and put on treatment from 170 service delivery points with a cure rate of 88.1%.

Dr. Fofanah informed that, they will continue to strengthen their diagnostic capability by equipping the TB laboratories nationwide with support from partners. He expressed gratitude and appreciation of all the staff of tuberculosis control program within the directorate of Disease Prevention and Control in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for their selfless efforts.

Representative from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Louisa Ganda informed that, the Africa region has the highest rate of TB. Dr. Louisa said they want to reduce the death rate by 75% and 80% for those that are affected. She said more seriousness and resources are needed to cure TB, added that the public needs to be sensitized about the signs and symptoms of the disease. She admonished TB patients to eat good food and to take their drugs frequently.

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