World Tuberculosis Day (TB) was observed throughout the country on Saturday. This year the theme of the day was 'TB any where is TB every where' geared towards promoting a world free from tuberculosis.
Every year the TB Day is internationally commemorated on March 24 with the aim to create public awareness and mobilise support for the fight against the disease.
A candle walk was also arranged from China Chowk to Parliament House to mark the Day. The walk was attended by all segments of the society including students, children and veterans. The walk was patronised by Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) and National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NPT).
A seminar was also organised by the Federal Government TB Hospital here on Saturday. Secretary Health Saeed Anwar Mehmood was the chief guest on both the occasions.
Secretary Health said Pakistan is ranked sixth amongst 22 high burden countries. He said, according to a survey, every year around 290,000 (177/100,000) people develop TB in the country. The incidence of smear positive TB cases in the country is around 125,000 (ie 81/100,000) population.
Saeed Anwar assured that the government of Pakistan will not only continue its efforts but further increase its support for TB control where needed. He said, with the combined efforts of MOH we will Insha Allah "earnestly hope that next year we can announce with pride that we have reached the targets. We set out to achieve some years ago and play our rightful role in the international and regional community vis-à-vis the fight against tuberculosis."
Medical Superintendent Federal Government TB Centre, Rawalpindi, Dr Tariq Masood said on the occasion, the overall prevalence of the disease is expected to be more than three million and large proportion of cases occur in the productive age group ie 15-50 years which affect the country's economy. According to an estimate, the deaths are 50,000 per annum, he added.
The figure and percentage of TB cases and deaths though seem to be higher than the last year is not a correct indication as the number of TB patients increased not because of disease spreading but due to better detection rate and investigations, which cover vast regions, said Dr Tariq Masood.
Dr Masood asserted that it was their duty as health care providers and nation as a whole to fight this curable disease. He lauded the initiatives taken by the government and declaring tuberculosis as National Emergency and starting an intensive National Tuberculosis programme and implementing DOTS strategy under MOH.
However, a greater effort is required for social mobilisation effort where professional, social sectors, politicians, NGOs media, all of us join hands in war against the deadly disease, and save our coming generations.
Dr Tariq said they are providing the best diagnostic and treatment facilities to the people of Rawalpindi/Islamabad and far flung areas. The hospital has very skilled staff including doctors and paramedics, he added.
However, he pointed out that due to construction of Woman and Children Hospital and new campus of Federal Government TB and Chest Disease Centre, they are facing acute space problem. Their X-ray unit is non-functional and their work is suffering a lot, despite dedicated staff and latest equipment.
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