Million Youth March
The Provincial TB Control Program arranged a Million Youth March on March 11, 2009 from Hyderabad Gymkhana to Hyderabad Press Club. The purpose of this March was to create awareness among the masses about Tuberculosis.
A large number of school children, Doctors from various Hospitals, Lady health workers, School Teachers and NGOs participated in the Walk and they were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans to fight tuberculosis. The March was led by Zafar Rajput Deputy Zila Nazim Hyderabad. At the end of walk Mr Zafar Rajput said that this million youth march is against TB. It is for the awareness of masses. The disease makes the member of the community afflicted with this disorder; he said that provincial Tuberculosis control program, District Health Authority and WHO are working hard to control this disease. The disease is curable if a patient takes medication for right duration. Dr. Bux Ali, EDO Health on the occasion said that there are millions of people who are suffering from TB. This Million Youth March is to make awareness against this disease. I was suffering from Tuberculosis many years back and after taking regular medication for eight months, now I am very well. If we try and take care about treatment, there will not be a single TB patient in our country.
On this occasion, Dr. Ismat Ara, Program Manager, Provincial TB Control Program Sindh read a Message of Syed Yousuf Raza Gillini, Prime Minister of Pakistan for the general public. She highlights the importance of these types of activities. She further highlight that the Anti TB Medicines are available at all the health facilities and are free of cost. Earlier, Dr. Nazir Shaikh, National Program Officer, TB Control Program said that Dr Robert Kocks discovered the organism on 24th March 1882.
He said that Twenty two countries of Eastern Mediterranean in which Pakistan is also included Commemorating Million youth March, on 11 March 2009 because there are 1 million people are suffering from TB in these 22 Countries. The purpose of this day is to create awareness among the general public.
Dr. Nazir said that, TB is a curable disease, eight months medication will cut off this disease. Approximately, there are 9 million people developing disease every year and 1.7 million people die from this disease every year. In Pakistan, 0.3 million people develop this disease and 68,000 people die every year. The one infected person can infect fifteen other persons in a period of one year. He informs that there are 265 TB Diagnostic centers available in the Sindh province where free diagnosis facilities and free medicines are available. Now is the time to take action, beyond our current efforts, that will ensure that we reach the goal of TB elimination.