By: Benjamin Nii Nai Anyetei
The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, in collaboration with the Chest Clinic of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, has intensified tuberculosis (TB) awareness among students of Achimota School as part of activities marking World TB Day.
The outreach focused on educating students on TB transmission, prevention, treatment and its wider public health implications, while empowering them to share knowledge within their communities.
Health experts explained that tuberculosis is a contagious infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but capable of spreading to other organs.
It is transmitted through the air when infected persons cough or sneeze, with symptoms including persistent cough, fever, chest pain and weight loss. Though curable, TB can be fatal if left untreated.
A major highlight of the engagement was the focus on zoonotic tuberculosis, a form of TB transmitted from animals to humans. Experts noted that Mycobacterium bovis, commonly found in cattle and other animals, can infect humans through unpasteurized milk, contaminated or undercooked meat, and close contact with infected animals. The disease in animals is chronic and contagious, often leading to weight loss and respiratory distress.
The students were also educated on the impact of TB on reproductive health. Experts explained that tuberculosis can affect reproductive organs, leading to genital tuberculosis, a form of extrapulmonary TB that can cause infertility in both men and women. They noted that the condition often remains asymptomatic and is sometimes only detected during fertility investigations, underscoring the importance of early screening.
Prof. Adwoa Asante-Poku, Associate Professor and Head of the Bacteriology Department at Noguchi, said research is increasingly focusing on zoonotic TB, including bovine tuberculosis in cattle, TB in goats caused by Mycobacterium caprae, and infections in pets. She cautioned against consuming unpasteurized milk and undercooked meat, advising that food, including grilled meat such as suya, should be properly prepared before consumption. She stressed that TB can also be contracted from certain raw animal products.
Prof. Asante-Poku further highlighted the growing link between TB, HIV and diabetes, noting that changing dietary patterns and increased consumption of fast foods have contributed to rising diabetes prevalence, which in turn is associated with TB.
She advised that individuals who experience a persistent cough for more than two weeks should seek early screening at health facilities, where they can also be tested for HIV and diabetes. She emphasized that TB treatment in Ghana is free and effective if detected early.
The professor also warned against the misuse of antibiotics, noting that self-medication can lead to drug-resistant TB strains, which are more difficult to treat.
Respiratory Physician at the Chest Clinic of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Yahayra Klinogo, said the collaboration with Noguchi forms part of broader efforts to raise awareness about TB, particularly in schools and densely populated communities. She emphasized that TB is both preventable and curable and should not be stigmatized. According to her, educating young people is critical, as they can pass on information to their families and communities.
Dr Klinogo added that the outreach is not a one-time activity but part of an ongoing campaign to reach more people, including those in primary schools and underserved communities. She encouraged the public to report early to health facilities when symptoms appear, noting that early treatment helps prevent complications and reduces transmission.
She reiterated that although TB is more common in crowded settings, it is treatable, and early diagnosis is key to recovery.
Some students who participated in the programme commended the initiative, describing it as informative and impactful. They said the engagement had deepened their understanding of TB, including its causes, transmission, prevention, and its effects on overall and reproductive health. The initiative forms part of sustained national and global efforts to eliminate tuberculosis through awareness creation, early detection, and access to free treatment.
