NWFP Minister for Health, Inayatullah on Monday formally launched a project on free delivery of diagnostic and treatment services to TB patients under DOT strategy through private general physicians in four districts of the province.
The launching ceremony of the project, held in a local hotel of provincial metropolis was addressed by Director General Health Dr Jalilur Rehman, Professor Arshad Javed, Provincial Manager TB Control Programme Dr Abdul Ghafoor, Provincial President College of Family Medicine, Dr Saeedul Majeed and Dr Sami Yousaf.
The project to be implemented through Provincial TB Control Programme, GTZ, Pakistan Chest Society and General Physicians of private sector was aimed at strengthening efforts to control TB, ensure access to DOTS and enhance capacity of private general physicians to treat TB effectively. Initially the project will be launched in the districts of Peshawar, Charsadda, Nowshera and Mardan. After its successful implementation, the project will be extended to the rest of the province.
Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said that an aggressive campaign, launched in the province had mobilised the society about TB effectively. He appreciated Provincial Manager for adopting effective strategy to make the programme a success. Underlining the need of maintaining the rate of success of the programme, he directed for its further strengthening. "There shall be no complacence in this regard", he warned.
Referring to the contribution of private general physicians he said that they were rendering tremendous services in the health sector. The Minister elaborated that besides collection of accurate data of the private clinics and laboratories, standards were being set for them also, "Private institutions will be ranked according to the set criteria and hospitals and labs found below the standard will be banned to operate while good one will be advertised properly", he asserted.
He directed DG Health to appoint a focal person for maintaining liaison with private physicians.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr Abdul Ghafoor, Manager, Provincial TB Control Programme, said that the project was a step to involve physicians of the private sector in TB control in an organised way to translate the dream of a free TB Pakistan into reality.
He disclosed the proper operational strategy was already set up for implementation of the project. Dr Saeedul Majeed said that 30 general physicians were registered for launching the project while their numbers would be raised to 50 in the first year.
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