NTP Steering Committee Meeting
In the meeting an MoU was also signed between Ojha Institute of Dow University and National TB Control Programme, Islamabad and Provincial TB Control Programme, Sindh.
Dr. Abul Sattar Korai, Director General Health Sindh speaking as chief guest on the occasion said that collaborative efforts between public and private sectors are required to control the TB epidemic.
“Our motto is to how to control the TB. The main aim of today’s meting is to share the views and suggestion. Therefore, review and suggestion will improve the steering committee and will give fruitful results” he said.
Dr. Noor Ahmad Balouch, National Manager, National TB Control Program, Islamabad in his key note address informed that they felt proud to say that TB Control Program is one of the pioneers in public private partnership in Pakistan. This program wins the public private partnership through a systematic approach.
Public private partnership is a partnership among different sector in policy learning, implementation and operations. The main objective of public private partnership is providing healthcare to patients. It is the responsibility of public sector to ensure appropriate management of result.
Sharing of knowledge and taking the advantage of experiences of each other is very important. One MDR patient requires good amount of medicines per day. Private sector is very valuable for public sector. He confessed that the public sector alone cannot do much.
Dr. Asmat Ara, Program Manager, Provincial TB Control Program Sindh on the occasion said that TB is also a major problem today. Pakistan ranks sixth among 22 countries in the world that have the highest burden of MDR (Multi-Drug Resistant) TB patients. The question arises whether we can control TB or not. Government sector along with private have to play their due role to control the epidemic of TB.
The Millennium Development Goals of 2005-2015 is to remove occurrence of TB from the country.
Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, WHO National Program Officer presented the Terms of Reference (ToR) of Steering Committee which are:
1. To provide guidance, technical assurance and operation level support to stake holders engaged in implementation of PPM in Sindh province.
2. To assist, coordinate and develop strategy to address the issues and problem identified during implementation of PPM projects.
3. To make management decision, strategic plan for effective implementation of public private mix at provincial and district level.
4. To periodically review, the progress to ensure the effective and utilization of research available for implementation of PPM in the Sindh district.
5.To visit the site of implementation to assist the progress.
6. The Committee will meet atleast on quarterly basis.
Dr. Amanullah Ansari, Provincial Technical Officer (WHO) Sindh on the occasion said that in year 2005, 100% TB-dots coverage of population was achieved through public health system. Studies show that utilization of public health centers is not more than 30%. Most of the patients mainly consult family physicians for their illness.
The issues and challenges includes; MoU needs to be revised in accordance with revised National Strategic Plan; indicators need to be developed to measure impact of ACSM in community; extension of ACSM, TB/HIV, HDL to all districts/ tertiary hospitals; coordination with PTP needs to be strengthened further.
Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Director, Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases said that similar meetings should be held more frequently so that doctors can have a platform to voice their concerns. The persons fighting against TB are very helpful. We are not having BSL 3 lab in our government sector. We shall therefore getting the lab very soon.
From the time when I had taken the charge, I have seen more than 100 patients waiting for MDR treatment. Currently, we have 148 patients receiving MDR treatment.
Dr. Sharaf Ali Shah, Executive Director, Bridge Consultants Foundation suggested that with the support of all the partners and government working together the goal to control TB in Pakistan would be achieved.
We have a lot of issues with regard to TB Control in our country. We have discussed MDR which is very serious issue. The rise in the cases of TB and HIV co-infection is also a universal challenge for TB Control Program all over the world.
One hope is that with the support of government and partners we will achieve our objectives to control the TB in this country.
Dr. Aziz Tank, Honorary President, Pakistan Medical Association stressed that it is our moral duty to this national contribution. We must have national spirit in us to guide our people who are living 70% in rural areas and 30% elsewhere.
For further progress of this meeting, there is need to hold similar meetings after every three months.
Dr. Ejaz Khawja, National TB Coordinator, AKHSP on the occasion said that there is need to focus more on MDR. Basic TB program should be placed in a well manner.
Dr. Yousuf said that the country is missing out on a lot of data due to the lack of coordination between the two sectors.
Dr. Zahid stated that Sindh TB Control Program is doing a wonderful job and it will bring fruitful results. The day will come when we will achieve our objective of the program.
He assured that being the NGOs personnel, they will try their best and will work in a team because Sindh has major coordination and committed people are also there. He assured that they would work hard to achieve the objective of the program and for providing the services to the poor people.
In the end, Dr. Asmat Ara offered vote of thanks.