Latest news with #NationalTuberculosisControlProgram
Saba Yemen
2 days ago
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Health ministry bars sales of tuberculosis drugs at private pharmacies
Sana'a - Saba: The Ministry of Health and Environment issued a decision prohibiting the sale or dispensing of tuberculosis medications in pharmacies and private facilities, restricting their dispensing to the National Tuberculosis Control Program. The decision aims to protect tuberculosis patients from exploitation and ensure they receive free treatment in accordance with approved medical protocols. Pursuant to Resolution No. (6/1/69) of 1446 AH, the distribution of tuberculosis medications is prohibited outside the scope of the National Program for Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Control and its branches in governorates and districts, as the only entity officially authorized to dispense free treatment to patients. The Ministry warned all pharmacies and private health facilities against violating the decision, stressing that dispensing tuberculosis medications outside the program is a violation that exposes perpetrators to legal accountability. In a statement seen by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), Dr. Ihab Al-Saqqaf, Director General of the Tuberculosis Control Program, considered the decision an important step toward promoting health equity for tuberculosis patients, as they are the most vulnerable group in society. This requires providing care without financial burdens, while ensuring the safe use of medications to reduce the resistance of tuberculosis bacteria to antibiotics. He pointed out that the decision categorically prohibits the dispensing of tuberculosis medications by any entity not affiliated with the program and its branches in the governorates and districts, in accordance with the law. Dr. Al-Saqqaf emphasized that this decision is a qualitative achievement that strengthens and provides legal force to protect the rights of tuberculosis patients and to prosecute any violations in this regard. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Saba Yemen
20-04-2025
- Health
- Saba Yemen
Free comp for chest diseases starts tomorrow in Sana'a City
Sana'a - Saba: The Ministry of Health and Environment, represented by the National Program for Tuberculosis and Chest Disease Control, will launch a free medical camp for tuberculosis and chest diseases tomorrow, Monday, in the capital, Sana'a, coinciding with World Tuberculosis Day, under the slogan "Yes, We Can Eliminate Tuberculosis." Dr. Ihab Al-Saqqaf, Director General of the National Tuberculosis Control Program, explained to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that the camp, which will be held at the Tuberculosis Hospital in Al-Jarda, over three days, aims to detect tuberculosis and chest diseases early to ensure effective treatment. It also aims to raise community awareness about the dangers of tuberculosis, its transmission methods, and ways to prevent it. He pointed out that the camp will work on accurate diagnosis using the latest equipment and laboratory tests, and will provide free treatment for discovered cases in accordance with international protocols. Dr. Al-Saqqaf confirmed the participation of a select group of consultants and specialists in chest and respiratory diseases, noting that the camp targets cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and chest infections. The camp also targets cases of respiratory infections, those in contact with tuberculosis patients, and those suffering from a persistent cough for more than two weeks, a high temperature, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
United Against Tuberculosis: Ghana's Private and Public Health Sectors Join Forces
For weeks, Mansah, a resident of a suburb of Kumasi, Ghana's second-largest city, had been battling a persistent cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss. Fear gnawed at her- she suspected Tuberculosis (TB), a disease she knew could have serious consequences. Seeking a diagnosis and treatment at a public health facility would have meant spending nearly an entire day navigating long queues, a challenge given her demanding job. Like many others, she preferred seeking medical care at a private facility, even though TB services were traditionally not readily available there. For over a decade, Ghana had struggled to increase TB case notifications with annual detections stagnant at around 15,000 cases-leaving an estimated 60% of cases infections undiagnosed and untreated. This meant that thousands of people with TB were not receiving the care they needed, fueling the spread of the disease. However, a new initiative by the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) is rewriting the narrative. Through a Private-Public Mix (PPM) approach, free TB diagnostic and treatment services are now integrated into private healthcare facilities, bringing communities closer. This means that individuals like Mansah can now receive TB diagnosis and treatment at private health centers in their neighborhoods—free of charge. Implemented by Aurum Institute Ghana under the guidance of the National Tuberculosis Control Program, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and funding from the Global Fund, this initiative is making significant strides. In its first year alone, it has contributed 602 TB cases, representing 3% of the 20,154 TB cases notified nationally in 2024—a critical step toward closing the gap on 'missing' TB cases. Since implementation began in 2024, the project has achieved the following: Training 375 private health workers on TB screening, diagnosis, treatment, and psychosocial support. i. Equipping 20 private health facilities with GeneXpert machines for rapid TB diagnosis. ii. Providing essential logistics and medical supplies in line with national TB protocols. iii. Implementing on-site coaching and mentorship programs through targeted supportive supervision. iv. Verifying and validating TB cases through rigorous data auditing. v. Enrolling 98% of diagnosed TB patients onto treatment to ensure continuity of care. vi. Engaging key professional health associations, including the Association of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners, Community Practice Pharmacists Association, Over-the-Counter Medicine Sellers Association, and Private Health Association of Ghana, to sustain the intervention. A key innovation of this initiative is the deployment of 37 TB Champions—individuals who have been successfully treated for TB—to work with over-the-counter medicine sellers and pharmacies. These champions are trained to: i. Support TB screening, sputum collection, and transportation for testing at pharmacies and medicine outlets. ii. Follow up with positive cases, ensuring they are linked to care and supported through treatment adherence. iii. Conduct contact tracing and enroll eligible individuals in TB Preventive Treatment (TPT) programs. iv. Provide psychosocial support, helping to reduce stigma and promote early diagnosis. Notably, TB screening services at pharmacies and over-the-counter medicine sellers contributed 10% of the total TB cases notified by the private sector in 2024. WHO has played a crucial role in providing technical support, particularly in fostering collaboration between district health managers and private sector providers to ensure long-term sustainability. This has significantly improved working relationships between public and private health facilities, with private hospitals now serving as GeneXpert testing sites for public health facilities in implementing districts. For Mansah and countless others who rely on private healthcare, TB diagnostic and treatment services are now more accessible than ever. The initiative continues to evolve, incorporating additional elements such as expanded contact investigations and TB preventive treatment—interventions previously dominated by the public health sector due to workforce limitations in private facilities. With continued collaboration between public and private sectors, Ghana is making meaningful progress towards ending TB as a public health threat—ensuring that no one, regardless of where they seek healthcare, is left behind. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.
