The Tema Metro Health Directorate has organised a TB/HIV joint review meeting, bringing together health officials and stakeholders to assess progress and strengthen strategies in Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) within the metropolis.
The review created a platform for health professionals to evaluate interventions, share best practices and identify gaps in TB and HIV service delivery.
Madam Joanna Anorkor Lartey, the Tema Metro TB and HIV Coordinator, described TB and HIV as inseparable, stating that these were like twins, adding that “Where TB is, when you don’t take care, you will meet HIV and vice versa.”
Madam Lartey revealed that the metro had made significant strides in case detection and treatment, disclosing that 70 people were screened in 2023, and all were linked to care, including 23 who tested HIV-positive.
She added that by mid-2025, 197 cases had been recorded, of which 194 were successfully linked to care, while testing and counselling coverage remained high, with 99 per cent in 2023, 95 per cent in 2024, and 98 per cent in the first half of 2025.
She further highlighted innovations in paediatric TB care, noting that young children often could not produce sputum samples; hence, the use of stool samples for TB diagnosis.
She noted that commodity shortages, which affected services last year, had been resolved in 2025, with supplies now intact, adding, however, that logistical issues persisted.
Touching on other challenges, she said the transportation of viral load samples to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital remained a challenge, indicating that it was very painful to treat someone and not getting their results on time because of delays.
“We are appealing to anyone who can provide vehicles to assist with conveying these samples,” she pleaded.
The TB and HIV coordinator said the directorate had engaged regional coordinators to secure funding for effective monitoring and supervision and was coordinating with regional medical stores to ensure that commodities were readily available.
She also appealed to programme coordinators within facilities to work closely with the directorate on fund disbursement and coordination to ensure programmes function effectively.
Madam Lartey stressed the need for holistic support for patients beyond financial assistance, indicating that they also need psychological support, encouragement and linking up with care.
“We are advocating for a one-stop shop service delivery. If patients feel comfortable coming to your facility, why refer them elsewhere?” she questioned, adding that to address issues of stigma associated with special clinics, health facilities must prioritise patient comfort over formalities.
Dr Irene Adu, the Head of Pharmacy at the Manhean Polyclinic, emphasised the importance of regular HIV programme reviews.
Dr Adu urged participants to look beyond statistics, saying, “Don’t just see the numbers as figures; see these as people, and you will understand how enormous the problem is.”
She emphasised the importance of paediatric HIV care, urging providers to test children of HIV-positive mothers and keep them in treatment.
She also called for wider use of Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) across high-yield areas such as emergency units, TB and Sexually Transmitted Infections clinics, reproductive health centres, and antenatal clinics.
Dr Adu stressed the importance of carer support and strategic disclosure of illness to patients’ spouses to prevent further transmission, noting the need for sensitivity in situations that could affect family stability.
She highlighted the need to ensure data quality through accuracy, completeness and timeliness, all of which remained ongoing challenges for effective programme monitoring, while emphasising the need to intensify public education and encourage people to know their HIV status.
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