Tuberculosis (TB) remains a pressing global health concern, impacting millions of people worldwide.
In Ghana, the rising number of TB cases poses a significant challenge to the country’s healthcare system and its progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of ending the TB epidemic by 2030.
This article sheds light on the increasing cases of TB in Ghana and explores the critical issue of insufficient financing, which severely hampers advocacy efforts and the overall fight against TB.
The Disease
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. While TB primarily affects the lungs (Pulmonary Tuberculosis), it can also target other parts of the body (Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis).
TB is transmitted from an infected person through coughing, sneezing, or singing, with the inhalation of these droplets potentially causing infection. It can affect various organs such as the pleural cavity, liver, scrotum, kidney, intestine, and womb, known as extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Bovine TB can also occur in animals like cattle.
Symptoms of TB include cough, weight loss (poor weight gain in children), fever, tiredness, night sweats, chest pain, and coughing up blood-stained sputum.
Risk Group
According to the National TB Control Programme, many adults in Ghana and other parts of the developing world have been exposed to TB bacteria unknowingly. The progression from latent TB infection to active TB disease depends on the individual’s immunity.
Those at higher risk of developing the disease include smokers, alcoholics, prisoners, individuals living in overcrowded and poorly ventilated rooms, mine workers or those exposed to silica, and people with weakened immunity due to medical conditions like HIV, Diabetes, cancers, kidney failure, and malnutrition.
The Burden of Tuberculosis in Ghana
With a population of approximately 32 million people, Ghana grapples with a substantial burden of tuberculosis. The WHO estimated that in 2021, 45,000 people in Ghana fell ill with TB, and 15,700 people died from the disease. In 2022, Ghana recorded 12,000 TB-related deaths, with 6,500 cases affecting children. There are concerns that these figures may increase in 2023. Last year, 16,650 cases of TB were detected in Ghana, marking a 20% increase from the 13,278 cases detected in 2021.
The Challenges and Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to the rise in TB cases in Ghana. Firstly, the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS increases the risk of TB infection. Individuals with compromised immune systems due to HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to contracting TB and developing the severe form of the disease known as TB-HIV co-infection.
Urbanization, population growth, and overcrowding in cities also contribute to the rapid spread of TB. The movement of people from rural areas to urban centers strains urban infrastructures, resulting in substandard living conditions that facilitate the transmission of the disease.
COVID-19 and TB
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on TB campaigns, setting them back by 15%. However, efforts to diagnose TB cases increased during that period by leveraging samples taken from suspected COVID cases due to similar symptoms.
Treatment and Prevention
Ghana has made significant progress in TB treatment, with all TB treatments being free under the National Health Insurance Scheme. The success rate for cases under treatment increased from 85% in 2020 to 88% in 2021, according to the National TB Programme.
TB is preventable, and Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) can significantly reduce the development of active TB among individuals exposed to TB or those with an inactive form of the infection.
Challenges in TB Advocacy and Financing
Insufficient financing allocated to TB prevention, treatment, and control programs in Ghana presents a major hurdle in addressing the crisis. Limited financial resources impede efforts to raise awareness, improve diagnostic capabilities, provide effective treatment, and conduct research on innovative solutions.
The government’s budgetary constraints limit investments in healthcare systems, training healthcare professionals, and enhancing diagnostic infrastructure. Insufficient funds also hinder the availability of high-quality medications and vital resources needed for effective treatment.
The lack of financial resources directly affects advocacy initiatives aimed at raising awareness, educating communities, and reducing the stigma associated with TB. Without adequate funding, advocacy campaigns struggle to reach remote areas and vulnerable populations, leaving them uninformed and less likely to seek early diagnosis and treatment.
The scarcity of funds inhibits research and development efforts for new tools, technologies, and treatment regimens to combat TB effectively. Innovations in diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines are crucial for addressing the evolving nature of the disease, especially drug-resistant TB strains. However, without adequate financing, research efforts remain stagnant, impeding progress in the fight against TB.
Impact on SDG Goal Achievement
The inadequate financing situation in Ghana severely undermines the country’s ability to achieve the SDG target of ending the TB epidemic by 2030. Insufficient funds hinder the scaling up of TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts, resulting in delayed case detection, inadequate patient care, and increased rates of TB transmission. Without sustained and increased investments, Ghana risks falling behind in its commitments to the SDGs, jeopardizing the lives and well-being of its citizens.
The Push by Civil Society
Civil society groups, including the Stop TB Partnership and the Hope for Future Generations, have intensified their advocacy efforts to create awareness about TB and ensure that the government commits resources to end the epidemic. They urge the government to participate in the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB and allocate funds to TB, HIV, and malaria. Additionally, there is hope that the government’s pledge of $2 million to support the Global Fund will be fulfilled.
Conclusion
In Ghana’s battle against tuberculosis, the urgency of the times calls for not only scientific strategies but also financial investments and unwavering commitment from all sectors of society. We must demolish the walls of stigma and ignorance surrounding this silent epidemic.
Let us not be swayed by limited resources, for it is the power of humanity, resilience, and unity that will guide us toward a future where TB is nothing more than a distant memory, etched in the annals of history.
Source – myjoyonline.com
