Adamaoua : 10 healthcare workers affected by tuberculosis in 2023

World TB Day was celebrated on March 24, 2024, against a backdrop of commitment to putting an end to the disease. In Adamaoua, those involved in the fight are calling for better prevention and infection control (PCI).

By Jean Besane Mangam

“For the year 2023, we’ve even had quite considerable cases. You can imagine that in the Adamaoua region, we’ve had ten healthcare workers infected: seven at the Ngaoundéré regional hospital, one in Ngaoundal, one in Tibati and another in Bankim. In other words, no one is immune to tuberculosis infection. This statement by Dr. Achille Christian Bekono Sala, coordinator of the Regional Technical Group for the Fight against Tuberculosis in Adamaoua, reflects the seriousness and exposure of healthcare personnel to the disease.

During the week of activities in the run-up to World TB Day, awareness-raising activities were carried out not only in schools, but also in staff training institutes. This was the case, for example, at the medical staff training school at Ngaoundéré Protestant Hospital.

Here, more than 250 learners took part in the educational talk, where they were invited to take part in the fight against the disease in their community. “As a future healthcare worker, I undertake to invite my family and friends to go and get tested, and if the results are positive, to undergo the treatment protocol, which is free of charge,” says Koné Moussa Christiane, a student midwife 2.

Like her, Issa, a learner at the same school, agrees. “We have to start with mothers who give birth. As soon as the child is born, it must be vaccinated with the BCG against tuberculosis. For the other categories, we’ll recommend screening and treatment. As future staff,” he adds, “learning that 10 healthcare workers contracted the disease in 2023, should make us aware of the precautions we need to take in managing patients at the entrance gates to our health facilities.

The meeting with the PNLT’s financial partner, Icap, held on March 20, 2024, brought home the realities that do not facilitate patient checking. According to RWG leaders, this is due to the shortage of mentors in the various health facilities. They hope that new mentors will soon be recruited to fill the gap, as is the case at Ngaoundéré Regional Hospital, which has just 2 mentors for 14 wards. This is insufficient.

In 2023, a total of 2079 cases of tuberculosis of all types were reported. Since the start of 2024, 339 patients are already being followed-up in the region’s CDTs. Icap supports 29 sites in the region. In the long term, this partner hopes to reach the milestone of 99% of people living with HIV knowing their TB status.

The GTR TB Adamaoua team with students from the Ecole des Infirmiers Diplômés d’Etat de Ngaoundéré, at the Ngaoundéré regional hospital, March 20, 2024/ Jean Besane Mangam