Health workers and medical practitioners in Western Bahr El Ghazal are getting guidance on how to handle TB treatment in their various health units following South Sudan TB Treatment Manual.
Fourteen health workers Tuesday morning started the five-day training on how to diagnose and treat patients infected with Tuberculosis.James Angelo Marcello, TB and Leprosy State Coordinator, said the training focused on outpatients medical personnel.
He said most health workers who are attending this training can properly diagnose TB cases but are not familiar with South Sudan’s guidelines and principles to treat the disease.
Dr Angelo said TB patients have to undergo a multi-drug treatment during six months.
He urged the community to collaborate by following TB patients in treatment and reporting cases of persistent coughing.
The official explained that TB cure becomes difficult if patients default during treatment.
Dr Angelo disclosed that 174 out of 224 registered TB cases were confirmed successfully treated in Western Bahr El Ghazal state in 2011.
He said six patients died during treatment, eleven evaded treatment and eight were transferred to neighbouring states for treatment.
Twenty five TB positive patients did not turn up at the hospital for a confirmatory test at the end of the treatment.