The Ag. Director-General, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, received the equipment in the company of the Director of Public Health, the National Tuberculosis Programme Manager, and other officials of the Service.
Dr. Akoriyea expressed appreciation to Human Diagnostics for the timely donation and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to ensuring its effective and efficient use. He indicated that the equipment would be strategically deployed to maximize impact, especially in underserved areas, and assured the donors that the investment would contribute meaningfully to improved TB diagnosis and patient outcomes.
Speaking on behalf of the National TB Control Programme Manager, Dr. Bernard Ziem, the Laboratory Focal Person for the National TB Control Programme, Dr. Felix Sorvor, explained that the equipment is designed for point-of-care deployment, making it suitable for use in communities with limited laboratory infrastructure. He noted that the technology provides an alternative to existing diagnostic systems and is highly sensitive to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Dr. Sorvor further indicated that in line with national policy, all confirmed TB cases would subsequently undergo drug resistance testing to ensure comprehensive case management.
He added that although several facilities had initially been proposed for the placement of the equipment, discussions are ongoing to determine the most appropriate location, with priority likely to be given to less-endowed facilities with a high TB burden.
Highlighting the advantages of the equipment, Dr. Sorvor noted that the machine is robust, not highly temperature-sensitive, and does not require air conditioning, making it suitable for deployment in resource-constrained settings.
He also explained that while the equipment is portable, it would preferably be stationed at a health centre or district facility, with surrounding facilities linked through a sample transport system to optimize utilization.
He also expressed appreciation to Mr Thomas Kwame Bogya, CEO-DiagnoMedics Ltd, for the donation, noting that the inclusion of approximately 200 test kits would significantly reduce operational costs for the National TB Control Programme, particularly in the face of funding constraints.
He further called on corporate institutions to consider supporting TB control interventions as part of their corporate social responsibility, emphasizing the broader public health benefits of such investments.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
