Provincial stakeholders workshop
On the occasion of the World TB Day 2009, Provincial TB Control Program Sindh in collaboration with National TB Control Program organized a sensitization workshop on Tuberculosis for Provincial Level Stakeholder on March 25, 2009 at a local hotel in Karachi.
The workshop was chaired by Dabeer Ul Hassan, Additional Secretary Government of Sindh and was participated by Dr. Ismat Ara, Director, Provincial TB Control Program Sindh; Dr. Nazir A. Shaikh, WHO National Program Officer; Dr. Amanullah Ansari, WHO Provincial Technical Officer Sindh; Ms. Najma Chand, Provincial ACSM Coordinator; Dr. Ruqiya Talpur Deputy Director TB Control Sindh; Town Health Officers, Town Nazims, Medical Superintendents from various major Hospitals, Chest Specialist, Incharge TB DOTS Section and representatives from electronic and print media.
Dr. Dabeer Ul Hassan as a Chief Guest on the occasion said that commitment and efforts is needed to control TB. We should hold inter- provincial conference to create awareness about TB among the masses and there is a need to constitute a TB Control Board. He further said that this Provincial Stakeholder Workshop would make a breakthrough tool to combat the TB Control Program.
Dr. Ismat Ara Khurshid, Director, Provincial TB Control Program Sindh in her key note addressed high-lighted that commitment play a vital role in TB DOTS Program. She informed that at present there are 265 TB Diagnostic centers are available where free treatment and free diagnostic facilities are available. She also informed that drugs, chemical and other tools are freely available at all health facilities.
She further said that with the efforts of districts team, TB Control Program have achieved the targets and now we must work hard to sustained these targets. She thanked Dabeer Ul Hassan, Additional Secretary Health for sparing time from his busy schedule and graced the occasion and she also thanked all the participants.
Dr. Amanullah Ansari, WHO Provincial Technical Officer Sindh briefed the participants on TB DOTS update in Pakistan and Sindh. He highlighted the global as well as national situation of Tuberculosis and informed that round about 9 million new cases of TB developed every year and 2 million people die globally. He further said that Pakistan ranked amongst 8th highest TB burden globally. In Pakistan 0.3 million new cases developed and 68 thousand die annually whereas Federal Government declared TB as National Emergency.
He informed that TB is spread through sneezing, coughing and by loud speak-ing. He highlighted the targets and Stop TB Components. He also highlighted that Pakistan has achieved 92 percent success rate and Sindh has achieved 88 percent success rate where as default rate of Sindh is 6 percent and default rate of Pakistan is 4 percent.
Dr. Nazir Shaikh, WHO National Program Officer on the occasion said that, TB is an oldest disease and at present it is a major health problem. WHO declared it as Global Emergency in 1993 and after that TB DOTS strategy was adopted by the world. Sindh adapted this strategy in August 2000 and achieved 100 percent DOTS coverage by November 2003.
He said that for smooth running of TB DOTS Program, five elements are extremely important i.e.
1. Political Commitment with increased and sustained Financing
2. Case detection through quality assured Bacteriology
3. Standardized treatment with supervision and patient support
4. An effective drug management and supply system
5. Monitoring and evaluation He also highlights the district wise data.
Dr. Zafar Ejaz, District TB Coordinator gave detail of TB DOTS Situation of Karachi.
Ms. Najma Chand, Provincial ACSM Coordinator briefed about Stigma and discrimination in detail. The workshop ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Ruqiya Talpur, Deputy Director TB Control Program Karachi.