Ghana’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) is under threat following a significant cut in donor funding, raising fears that progress made over the years could be reversed.
Funding from the Global Fund has dropped from about $23 million to $14 million under a newly approved grant cycle for the next three years.
The Programme Manager of the National TB Control Programme at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Benard Ziem, disclosed this and called for urgent domestic financing of TB interventions if Ghana is to make progress towards eliminating the disease as a public health threat by 2030.
He made the remarks at the launch of World TB Day in Accra on the theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Communities, Powered by the People.”
Currently, Ghana records 44,000 new TB cases annually, but only about half are detected and placed on treatment, a situation that continues to fuel transmission across the country. Despite this, the country has achieved about a 95% treatment success rate, with TB-related deaths declining from 51 per 100,000 population to 32 per 100,000.
Highlighting key challenges, including inadequate diagnostic capacity, Dr Ziem stressed the need for increased investment in TB interventions.
“There is evidence that as we fund the programme more, we would be able to end TB and achieve the goals that we have set by 2030,” he mentioned.
He urged the government to prioritise TB in the proposed free primary healthcare policy and the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to support efforts towards eliminating the disease.
Beyond funding, Dr Ziem appealed to the public to show support and compassion towards persons affected by TB to help eliminate the disease and save lives.
“Yes, we can end TB, but we must all take on our unique roles and push the programme to achieve,” he added.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to exploring innovative and sustainable approaches to financing critical health interventions, including TB. She called on the private sector to partner with government to strengthen healthcare delivery.
“The fight against TB requires collective responsibility, shared investment and sustained collaboration,” she noted.
Dr Ayensu-Danquah indicated that the Free Primary Healthcare programme would be pivotal in expanding access to care, particularly in disease prevention, early detection, and improved treatment outcomes. She urged all stakeholders to support the TB response:
“With strong leadership, empowered communities and sustained investment, we can end tuberculosis as a public health threat in Ghana.”
The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, assured that despite existing challenges, the service remained committed to ensuring “a Ghana where TB is no longer a public health threat.”
As part of the commemoration, the Ministry of Health presented 10 digital X-ray machines and 15 GeneXpert machines to the GHS to enhance TB detection and treatment.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily attacking the lungs but capable of affecting other organs. It spreads through the air via coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include a persistent, often bloody cough lasting over three weeks, chest pain, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
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