Inter-District Quarterly Meeting
The concluding session of Inter-District Quarterly Meeting was held on February 14, 2009 was chaired by Mohammad Hussain Syed, Secretary Health Government of Sindh. The Inter District Meeting at Provincial Level was organized by Provincial Tuberculosis Control Program with the collaboration of National Tuberculosis Control program Islamabad.
Mohammad Hussain Syed, Secretary Health Government of Sindh appreciated the efforts of Provincial Tuberculosis Control Program, District Management and WHO. He informed that the Government has allocated Rs.3600 million budget for the health sector which is thrice than the previous budget
The Secretary Health said that provincial TB Control Program Sindh is doing well in comparison with other province of the country and the positive outcome is all because of the collective efforts put by the provincial government.
He further said that, at present Sindh is facing a lot of problems which is health related and it is due to lack of awareness. The disease is easily preventable but since the people don’t know how to prevent it and because of illiteracy and lack of knowledge, the number of patients are increasing day by day.
He mentioned that, it is true that the present government is committed to the health sector and is also doing a lot in this regard but still there are some areas are being overlooked, and need is to give prime importance to those neglected areas.
On the occasion, Dr. Ismat Ara, Program Manager, Provincial TB Control Program Sindh through her presentation briefed the participants about TB DOTS situation in Sindh. Talking about the health facilities she said that, there are 265 BMUs, 948 treatment Centers and more than 21000 LHWs in Sindh. She highlight the indicators from 2000 to 2008 and inform that at present the case detection of Sindh is 74% and success rate is 88% which are more than the desirable targets.
She highlight that these achievement is due to efforts of District Health Authority. She said that at present 265 diagnostic centers have been established by the efforts of Provincial TB Control Program where free diagnosis facility is available.
She said, PPM activities has been initiated with the assistance of National TB Control Program in two districts i.e. Karachi and Larkana.
The other issue like establishment of reference laboratory at intermediate level, resources to manage MDR Tuberculosis, implementation of PPM to extend free and quality management to all TB patients in Sindh and as well as drug management.
Dr. Nazir Shaikh, National Program Officer, TB Control Program, highlighted the objectives of meeting and informed that Inter-District Meeting is a regular feature of TB DOTS program. The meeting was participated by Executive District Health Officers of all the districts, Medical Superintendents of Tertiary Care Hospital, District TB Coordinators and various partners working for TB DOTS Program. He highlight that the purpose of meeting is to share the TB DOTS data of the districts , identify the gaps and prepare the suitable strategy to improve the program for the benefit of poor people suffering from Tuberculosis . He added that Tuberculosis is a dreadful disease and major public health problem.
WHO declared as Global Emergency in 1993 and after that TB DOT program was adopted by the whole of world. At present 134 countries has adapted this strategy and in Pakistan TB Dot program was initiated in August 2000 and achieved 100% DOTS coverage by November 2003.
Government of Pakistan has also declares Tuberculosis as National Emergency on March 24, 2001. He also highlighted the five main elements of TB DOTS program:
- Political Commitment with increased and sustained Financing
- Case detection through quality assured Bacteriology
- Standardized treatment with supervision and patient support
- An effective drug management and supply system
- Monitoring and evaluation
Earlier, Muzafar Ali highlighted the recommendations of 2-days activities as follows:
1. The refresher trainings on TB DOTS for PPHI staff and arrangement of POL and Drivers for District TB Coordinators
2. Inclusion of Chest specialist, pediatricians, National program Coordinators and DO M&PH in intra District meetings
3. Allocation of 10% of medicine budget for TB drugs
The meeting ended with vote of Thanks to chair.