Wismar hospital targets TB sensitisation at health fair

In honour of World TB (tuberculosis) Day 2019, which was observed on March 24, the Upper Demerara Hospital (UDH) at Wismar, Linden, on Friday hosted a sensitisation health fair aimed at raising awareness on the prevalence and treatment of the infection/disease.
This year, World TB Day was observed under the theme, “It’s time for action! It’s time to end TB”.

School children visiting one of the booths at the health fair

The sensitisation activity, which was hosted in the hospital’s compound, saw a number of satellite tables being set up with members of the public having access to a variety of other health services and testing including paediatric care, cervical cancer awareness (VIA and Pap smear), family health desk, antenatal clinic and a Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) information and treatment desk.
The UDH is home to the Linden Chest Clinic, which is responsible for care and treatment within the region. It is on this basis that the doctor attached to the clinic, Dr Roscoe McDonald said the hospital decided to host the sensitisation health fair.
He said the initiative also aimed at sensitising the community on the numerous other services offered by the hospital.
“Knowing that this hospital actually hosts or resides the Linden Chest Clinic for Region 10, we wanted to do our part in terms of observing that day…We’re very happy to be able to celebrate World TB Day here…Before, the hospital was carrying a stigma attached to it because of the HIV and the TB patients that were treated, however, it has now been opened up to all the other services,” Dr McDonald said.
He also shared his hope that the initiative would not only be a onetime event, noting that the hospital would like to continue sensitising members of the public.
Registered Nursing Assistant attached to the Clinic, Thesia King explained that the TB information desk focused on general information, including treatment and misconceptions. She said persons visiting the booth also benefitted from TB skin testing to determine their level of exposure to tuberculosis. “We have general information about tuberculosis and it is inclusive of prevention, treatment and curability,” she said.
Residents in the community, including school children, benefited from the health fair.