The regional director of Health Services for Farafenni health region has spoken of the significance of creating public awareness on the management of TB.
Alh Karamba Keita was speaking recently at the open field day in Daru Salam Lower Badibou North Bank Region, adding that TB remains a public health concern and called on the communities to be vigilant to support the Ministry of Health in the fight against TB.
He used the moment to remind people to adhere to advice from health workers on the Ebola virus, and to report any suspected case to the nearest health facility on time.
Lamin Kanyi, Regional Health Promotion & Education Officer, thanked the communities for their support in the fight against TB and other communicable diseases.
He said TB is a highly contagious disease and the fight calls for concerted efforts of all stakeholders and patience.
The Regional Principal Nursing Officer, Ansumana Manneh and Leprosy TB inspector, Morro Saidykhan, both echoed similar sentiment and called on the community to adopt all safety precautions to avoid infection.
Senior Community Health Nurse Tutor, Ebrima Hydara, said thecommunity’s role in the fight against TB is crucial, and called on families and patients to comply with the treatment guides to ensure that Gambia becomes a TB-free society.
The field day was attended by over 500 people within the catchment area, and the issues discussed included TB prevention and control, case surveillance, treatment and care for patients with tuberculosis including consequences for defaulting from treatment and the various causes of multi drug resistance during treatment.
Health officials lauded the Global Fund through National Leprosy and TB Control Programme for funding the exercise.
