NGO SENSITISES YAPEI PEOPLE ON TB (PAGE 20)

HOPE for Children, a British non-governmental organisation (NGO), has embarked on a community outreach programme at Yapei in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region to sensitise the people to tuberculosis (TB), a serious infections disease in which swellings appear on the lungs and other parts of the body.
Under the programme, the organisation intends to train 25 community-based volunteers to undertake house-to-house campaign on tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
Members of the organisation would also conduct sensitisation and behavioural change communication activities through durbars, visits to mosques, churches, healing centres and at other social gatherings in the area.
The Central Gonja District Disease Control Officer, Mr Stephen Mbable explained that TB is highly infectious and could be easily passed from one person to another.
He said the disease is caused by germs and affect the lungs, makes a victim cough incessantly resulting in weakness of the body.
Mr Mbable mentioned other symptoms of the disease as chest pains, difficulty in breathing and excessive night sweats.
‘‘Even though TB is considered as one of the fatal adult diseases in the world which continues to claim the lives of many, people with TB can be treated and cured if they get early medical attention,’’ Mr Steven stated.
He, however, acknowledged that ‘‘we have a bigger challenge ahead, and it is only through collective approach and commitment to our task that we can realise our objectives’’.
The Country Representative of HOPE, Madam Azara Mahama, said the objectives of her outfit included assisting vulnerable children through the provision and promotion of their rights to basic necessities, such as education and health care to ensure sustenance and self-reliance.
‘‘Since the establishment of the organisation in the country 10 years ago, there has been significant improvement in the lifestyle of beneficiaries at our various operational areas in the country,’’ she stated.
Madam Azara mentioned the provision of teaching and learning materials to needy children, rehabilitation of existing schools, grants to women groups, assisting people with disabilities and the provision of skill training for needy children as some of the interventions the NGO had made.