Advocacy Workshop
A one-day Advocacy Workshop on “Implementation of TB Dots Program in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Public Sector’ and was organized by Mercy Corps Pakistan in collaboration with Provincial TB Control Program. It was held at a Committee Room, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad.
The aims and objective of the workshop was Coordination among different partners/ stakeholders at the implementation level; to understand the significance and requirement of DOTS in Tertiary Care Hospitals and dealing with difficult to diagnose and childhood TB cases.
The workshop was chaired by Dr. Abdul Jabbar, MS, Liaquat University Hospital, and co- chair by Dr. Nazir A. Shaikh, WHO, National Program Officer and Participated by Dr. Ammanullah Ansari, WHO, National Program Officer; Dr. Mustafa Abbasi, AMS General, Dr. Imtiaz Ali Memon, Regional Coordinator, Mercy Corp, Medical doctors, and other dignitaries from various departments of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad.
Dr. Imtiaz Ali Memon said that the results of previous progress have enabled us to go for the next year. The five objectives are given importance to assure quality labs throughout the country.
Mercy Corp performance include; capacity building, up gradation of laboratories, Training of All cadres on Core DOTS and difficult to Diagnoses TB Cases.
Dr. Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, WHO National Program Officer Sindh Brief the participants that globally 2 billion people are infected with TB; 9 million new cases developed TB every year, 2 to 3 million deaths in each year whereas TB Kills one person every 10 seconds. TB was declared as Global Emergency by WHO in 1993.
He informed that according to World Health Organization (WHO), Pakistan ranks 8th among the 22 highest burden TB countries in the world. It is estimated that round about 300,000 new TB cases developed each year. Approximately 62,000 TB patients die every year. Only one physician in seven prescribes the effective and correct regimens.
He also Highlight the Goals and objectives of National TB Control Program That includes To eliminate TB as Public Health Problem. To achieve 100% DOTS coverage at all public health facilities by 2005; To Detect new smear positive cases more than 70% by 2005 ;To achieve Cure rate more than 85% of registered new Smear-positive cases; and to Reduce prevalence and deaths of tuberculosis by 50% by 2015. he inform that with the efforts of Provincial Tuberculosis control program the case detection at present is 75% and success rate is 88% which is more than desirable targets . He Stress that all stake holder working at different level in TB DOTS program must be committed to fight against this deadly disease.
He further stated that National level responsibilities include Policy formulation, Technical assistance to provinces, Inter provincial coordination, Operational research, Supervision, monitoring and evaluation; whereas Provincial level responsibilities include: arranging program resources; Training of all cadres of staff; Monitoring and evaluating the program periodically. He also appreciates the coordination and cooperation of Medical Superintendent by involving maximum staff in TB DOTS program. He advises the admistrative personnel for developing linkages between TB – DOTS OPD and other different OPDs for benefit of poor community
During the workshop many quarries were raised regarding treatment and other relevant aspects of TB DOTS Program by the participants which were clarified by Dr Ammanullah Ansari And Dr Nazir Shaikh
Dr Abdul Jabbar Shaikh Medical Superintendent in his concluding remarks appreciates the work done for TB DOT Program by Provincial TB Control program, WHO and mercy Corps Pakistan. He assure full support for TB Control program .