Gambia: National TB programme, MRC sign TB prevalence survey agreement
To collect vital and reliable information about the burden of TB and its control in the country
The National TB Control Programme under the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the Medical Research Council (MRC) The United Kingdom Unit recently signed an agreement to conduct survey on control of TB in The Gambia.
The nationwide survey is meant among other things to collect vital and reliable information about the burden of TB and its control in the country.
The survey will also help the government of The Gambia and its partners with a better understanding of the impact of TB so as to device plan for implementing prevention of TB in the country.
The TB prevalence survey will target over 55,000 Gambians and non-Gambians alike and it has already started in Ebou-Town, KMC, where a large turnout was registered.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Observer recently, Ma Ansu Kinteh, the survey coordinator said the Gambia government through the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare [MOHSW] and the National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme wants to know how badly Tuberculosis TB affects Gambians.
He said despite the control, TB cases still continue to increase every year. "In this regard, the National TB Programme has entered into partnership with the Medical Research Council [UK] Unit, to help conduct this survey in The Gambia," he explained.
According to him information from this survey will provide the government and partners with better understanding of the burden of TB in the country so that they can plan on how to implement TB prevention and control activities better.
Kinteh also explained that TB is an illness that is caused by a germ and is transmitted via the airborne route inhaled when people with active disease cough into the air and mainly affects the lungs, and sometimes affects other parts of the body.
He disclosed that those15 years of age are eligible to participate in the survey, as this will go a long way in complementing government's efforts in knowing how much TB affects Gambians.
Kinteh added: "If you agree to participate in this survey, you will be asked to sign a document agreeing to your participation in the study, and also participate in a short interview and answer some questions about the signs and symptoms related to Tuberculosis."
He finally noted that the government of The Gambia, governor, mayors, village development committees [VDC], the community health teams among others, are all aware of this prevalence survey, while assuring the community that the records of the study will be stored securely and kept confidential; and that all publications or report that may arise from this prevalence survey will not include any information that will make it possible for one to be identified.
"However, if you are found to be infected with TB, we will refer you to the National TB Programme at the nearest chest clinic for treatment or additional investigations which may be required," he concluded.
By Momodou Jawo
allAfrica.com