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Momodou
Denmark
11790 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Mar 2007 : 18:11:39
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"TB IS CURABLE AND PREVENTABLE," SAYS SENIOR LTBCO
By Yaya Bajo
Mr. Kejaw Saidykhan, Senior Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Officer (LTBCO), at the Department of Medical and Health has asserted that TB is both curable and preventable and therefore people should avail themselves for screening at their various diagnosis centres around the country. Mr. Saidykhan made this revelation on Monday 26th March, 2007 in an exclusive interview with Foroyaa at his offices in Banjul.
The Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control Officer said that Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by micro bacterium (tuberculosis bacilli). He said Tuberculosis Day is celebrated worldwide on the 24th of March each year and that the theme for this year's commemoration is "TB anywhere is TB everywhere." He added that the team portrays that if TB exists anywhere then it is everywhere as it can be transmitted through droplets in the air. "If a TB patient coughs he/she, expels a lot of TB germs into the air in a form of droplets and anybody who comes in contact with them and inhaled the germs will become infected," he remarked.
Mr. Saidykhan added that being infected with TB germs is different from becoming diseased." You can be infected and remain like that for the rest of your life only if your body resistances are good, but if they are weak, you can progress to TB disease;" he revealed. He added that this is why HIV/AIDS is related to TB because HIV virus kills or destroys the body defence mechanisms thus succumbing to infections or disease.
On the signs and symptoms of TB, Mr. Saidykhan explained that for pulmonary Tuberculosis, one shows the following symptoms:
Cough for two weeks or more, presence of blood in the sputum, loss of appetite and loss of weight. He said that in The Gambia Tuberculosis is treated for a period of six months and it is divided into two phases; that the two phases are intensive and continuation phases; that in the intensive phase patients are given four different types of drugs daily for two months at the end of which they are reviewed and that if the sputum test is found to be negative, treatment is changed into continuation; that in the continuation phase patients are treated with two different types of drugs which are taken three times in a week for two months. He said that in the fourth month, patients are examined for sputum test again and if found negative administration of the same drug continues for another two months. Mr. Saidykhan said that at the end of the six months they would examine the sputum again and that if it is still negative they would then discharge the patient from treatment.
The senior LTBCO said that all these treatment protocols are supervised by either a health worker or a treatment supporter who ensures that all medicines are taken correctly and regularly for the duration of the treatment. The reason for this, he said, is that if TB drugs are not taken regularly, it can lead to drug resistance which can eventually lead to prolong treatment.
When questioned about the accessibility diagnosis and treatment centres, he said that these centres are decentralized and that all health facilities now provide treatment. "We have fifteen (15) diagnosis centres all over the country and plans are underway to expand these to 31," He stated that diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis are free for all, in spite of nationality; that TB patients are also provided with breakfast before taking their medication and transport fares when they are due for the two monthly review visits to their various diagnosis centres.
On prevention, Mr. Saidykhan noted that BCG vaccines are given to children at birth and TB patients are advised to cover their mouths and noses when coughing in order to prevent expelling infectious TB droplets into the air. He said they should also have sputum muce which must be emptied into a pit latrine after use. "People should also stop overcrowding and that all dwelling houses should be well ventilated," he concluded.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 36/2007, 28-29 March, 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2007 : 15:42:57
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When questioned about the accessibility diagnosis and treatment centres, he said that these centres are decentralized and that all health facilities now provide treatment. "We have fifteen (15) diagnosis centres all over the country and plans are underway to expand these to 31," He stated that diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis are free for all, in spite of nationality; that TB patients are also provided with breakfast before taking their medication and transport fares when they are due for the two monthly review visits to their various diagnosis centres.
On prevention, Mr. Saidykhan noted that BCG vaccines are given to children at birth and TB patients are advised to cover their mouths and noses when coughing in order to prevent expelling infectious TB droplets into the air. He said they should also have sputum muce which must be emptied into a pit latrine after use. "People should also stop overcrowding and that all dwelling houses should be well ventilated," he concluded.
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Does anyone know if there is any center near Gunjur or Bakau? |
Edited by - inez on 13 Apr 2007 15:43:52 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 13 Apr 2007 : 16:37:08
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| I know there is a health centre at Gunjur run by an english lady called Ann. She funds it her self. I'm not sure if she does TB vaccinations. |
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che
South Africa
40 Posts |
Posted - 14 Apr 2007 : 12:29:17
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Tuberculosis as a condition has been well documented,especially here in Southern Africa,where its rearing its ugly head due to co-morbidity with HIV/AIDS.Its has become synonymous with HIV positive people.But its definately curable,but the Gambian gorvenment needs to put agressive programmes in place.It has almost clear signs & symptoms such as :
.cough more than 2 weeks,productive
.drenching night sweats
.loss of appetite
.loss of weight
.fever
With other risk factors such as HIV,overcrowding,working in mines,etc |
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inez
279 Posts |
Posted - 20 Apr 2007 : 14:35:44
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| Where can I find out about these centers? Im grateful if someone can help me to find the location of thes centers or to find someone who might know about these. Please, itīs really important. |
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