Paediatric Tuberculosis (TB) is not a spiritual disease but a bacterial infection that can be cured with proper treatment, according to Mrs. Josephine Adusei, Principal Physician Assistant at Tarkwa Municipal Hospital.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mrs. Adusei highlighted the increasing prevalence of paediatric TB in the Western Region, stressing that many cases go unnoticed due to low awareness. She pointed out that children whose weight does not correspond with their age and height should be assessed for possible TB infection.
“A child with persistent fever, cough of any duration—whether for days or weeks—malnutrition, and a distended abdomen, which is not due to overeating, should be brought to a healthcare facility for further investigation,” she advised.
Mrs. Adusei explained that TB is an airborne disease, and children living with infected adults are at high risk. “If an adult diagnosed with TB stays in a room with a child and frequently coughs, the child constantly breathes in the infected air, increasing the likelihood of contracting the disease,” she noted.
She further explained that TB can affect various parts of the body, including the lungs, kidneys, lymph nodes, bones, joints, abdomen, and even the heart.
Encouraging early detection, Mrs. Adusei stated that Tarkwa Municipal Hospital now has the capacity to test stool samples from children under five years old for TB bacteria. “Previously, we did not have this capability, but now we can diagnose and place any child with TB on appropriate treatment. We urge parents to be proactive in seeking medical attention for their children,” she emphasized.
In 2024, the hospital recorded three cases of paediatric TB. In two of these cases, the bacteria were not detected in initial samples, but clinical symptoms strongly indicated TB infection. All three children have since undergone treatment, with the final case recently confirmed as cured following further tests.
Mrs. Adusei’s remarks reinforce the importance of early detection and treatment to curb paediatric TB in the region. She urged the public to take symptoms seriously and seek timely medical intervention to prevent further spread of the disease.