By Muhammad Fareed
Stop TB Pakistan (STP) in collaboration with Mercy Corps, Islamabad organized One-day Consultative Workshop titled “Partnering with Media to End TB in Pakistan” with key journalists and media personnel titled at a local hotel in Islamabad. The aim of the Workshop was to motivate media in the fight against TB. The Workshop was attended National and Provincial TB Control Program Managers besides Pakistan Television renowned celebrity Ms. Kanwal Naseer and renowned health reporters from both print and electronic media.
Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan, National Program Manager, National TB Control Program sharing his views on the occasion informed that every year about 500,000 people are affected by TB in Pakistan out of which 350,000 are treated. One TB patient can affect 10-12 persons every year. Today, the major challenge that Pakistan is facing is multi drug resistance (MDR) TB patients. Every year about 12,000 to 13,000 new MDR TB patients occurs in Pakistan out of which 3,500 get treatment each year from the support of Global Fund. Although Global Fund is support the cause of TB but Pakistan needs 492 million for the control of TB for three years out of which 143 million is being provided by the Global Fund but Global Fund cannot support Pakistan every time therefore this is our responsibility reorganize our system to be self-reliant. He stressed the need to utilize our own resources and create awareness amongst masses from grass root level.
Later, he thanked Stop TB Pakistan for launching National Strategic Plan at National and Provincial level.
Dr. Sharaf Ali Shah, Vice Chairman, Stop TB Pakistan in his welcome address briefed the participants about TB situation in Pakistan. He informed that Pakistan ranked 5th amongst highest TB burden countries. Besides having all treatment facilities available, Pakistan also ranked 5th amongst high burden MDR cases countries. According to WHO, Pakistan estimates 0.5 million new cases every year. Half of the TB cases in Pakistan are not reported due to social stigma attached to the illness. One TB patient affects 10-12 persons every year. In 2016, about 44,000 deaths were occurred from TB in Pakistan. The majority of TB patients reported are between the ages of 15 and 44 and they are bread earners of their family who are affected by the illness.
Talking about the role of Stop TB Pakistan, he informed that STP is affiliated with Global Stop TB partnership. The main objective of the program is to provide a platform to stakeholders including Community Based Organizations, NGOs, Print & Electronic Media, and Corporate Sector in the fight against TB.
Talking about the role of media in the fight against TB, he informed that STP has developed strategic thematic areas for media to be focused which includes Resources Mobilization, Community Engagement and Promotion of Research focusing on TB. Stressing that media can play an important role in the fight against TB, he said that there is need to create mass awareness in order to reduce this ailment from our country.
Dr. Syed Karam Shah, Senior Advisor, Stop TB Pakistan briefed the participant about the working of Stop TB Pakistan. Talking about anti-TB strategy, STP realize that TB care and control is the basic human right of everyone. It was not responsibility of doctors to control TB but it is responsibility of government, activists, civil society, Intersectoral collaborations to provide best quality services to the people. The disease cannot be controlled till poverty is controlled, sanitation is improved and development work is done. He stressed the need to create demand control to stop TB from the country.
Ms. Kanwal Naseer, Pakistan Television Golden Celebrity extended her full support in TB control interventions through dramas and radio programs.
The Workshop was followed by valuable recommendations for TB elimination from both print and electronic media.
Earlier, Dr. Nasir Mahmood Khan, National Program Manager, National TB Control Program, Islamabad along with Dr. Sharaf Ali Shah, Vice President, Stop TB Pakistan and other Provincial Program Managers launched National Strategic Plan for TB Control in Pakistan.
In the end, Dr. Iqtidar Ahmed, Executive Secretary, Stop TB Pakistan offered vote of thanks.
