Our news team visited several Diagnostics and PPM-DOTS centers in the Accra Metropolis. These include the Dansoman Polyclinic, Central Medical Laboratory, Mamprobi Polyclinic, Iran Clinic, Ridge Hospital, Adabraka Polyclinic, Fire Service Medical Center, Sunrise Clinic, Holy Trinity Medical Centre, Kaneshie Polyclinic, James Fort Prisons and the La General Hospital.

At the DANSOMAN POLYCLINIC, Ms. Stella Dokosi, TB coordinator for the clinic stated that her outfit has been assisting treatment supporters to ensure that patients take their drugs. She said since the introduction of the DOTS program and the Enablers Package, case detection and case holding has improved considerably. Our next point of call was the MAMPROBI POLYCLINIC where as early as 6 a.m. patients started trooping in to take their drugs. Madam Mercy Sagoe, IE &C coordinator, Ablekuma Sub-Metro, told our news team that most of their clients were drivers and fisher folks from Chorkor.

She said though most of the clients are difficult and recalcitrant, case holding is steadily improving She revealed that under the
Enablers Package, patients were provided with T&T, Milo, Nido, Sugar and cooking oil. From the Mamprobi Policlinic, we marched straight to the CENTRAL MEDICAL LABORATORY located at Latebiokorshie.

Dr. M.O. Mensah, Managing Director of the Lab, said TB diagnosis and screening was free and those found positive are referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for free treatment.

After the Central Medical Laboratory, IRAN CLINIC was the next place to visit. The clinic is located at Kokomlemle, close to the overhead bridge. Mr. Gabriel K. Kottoe, TB coordinator at the clinic disclosed that from June to August this year the hospital recorded nine TB cases all of which` are being managed. He highlighted the major constraint as inability to trace patients due to wrong addresses.

At the RIDGE HOSPITAL, the Assistant TB Coordinator, Ms Peace Wilson, said from January to August this year, thirty-four pulmonary and nine extra pulmonary TB
cases were reported. She further stated that out of the Enablers Package, other opportunistic infections are treated and financial support and food provided to
patients. A TB patient (name withheld) expressed concern about the long treatment period and called on government to find ways of reducing it.

At the ADABRAKA POLYCLINIC, the TB coordinator, Ms. Beatrice Marbell said the Enablers Package was playing a key role in making patients comply with treatment
schedule. The major constraint is patients' refusal to be` assigned treatment supporters for fear of being found out by their neighbors.

The FIRE SERVICE MEDICAL CENTRE is currently managing one pulmonary TB case. Last year, 4 cases were successfully managed. The major challenge the center faces is dealing with stubborn clients. This is being taken care of through counseling, persuasion and threats to expose recalcitrant clients.

WHAT’S UP At the Kaneshie Market Complex?

The Kaneshie Market is a major foodstuff and general goods market which serves thousands of people from all walks of life. The market houses over 10,000 traders and is visited by over 30,000 people daily. Our news team's visit to the market showed that more work needed to be done in connection with TB education and sensitization. During the visit, our team found no IE&C materials at the market. Most
traders spoken to expressed no interest in talking about TB.

In an interview with Mrs. Mabel Anita Aihoon, the Administrative Officer of Accra Markets Limited, managers of the Kaneshie Market Complex, she recollected that there was a TB sensitization program in the Market Complex by the University of Ghana Medical School about a year ago. She however admitted that response of the people in the market was not encouraging because the traders and sellers would not like to leave their wares for the program.

In another interview, Mr. Israel Tettey Aryee, Environmental Officer of the Kaneshie Market Complex said sometimes public health nurses from the Kaneshie Polyclinic come over to sensitize them but the people in the market would not listen. He said his job was to ensure that all meat brought into the market are examined and not to educate or sensitize people on TB adding that the attitude of the people is a contributory factor to the rise in TB cases.

He condemned the indiscriminate way people spit about, talk unnecessarily when selling and fail to cover their mouths when coughing. Madam Comfort Bampoe, a Market Queen at the Kaneshie Market Complex expressed her desire to know more about TB to enable her sensitize her colleagues on the disease.

Madam Regina Obili, a trader at the market said she knew nothing about TB and would also be interested in acquiring more knowledge about the disease.In a chat with Ms. Georgina Abbey, a maize seller at the market, she said she believes TB is a disease which does not have any spiritual background. She said one could get TB when one gets into contact with a TB patient.