To brief the Global Stop TB Ambassador Ms. Anna Cataldi on the progress of Stop TB Partnership and to share the future plans, Stop TB Partnership Pakistan organized the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Board of the Stop TB Partnership recently in the Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi.
Sharing her views on the occasion, Ms. Anna Cataldi appreciated the efforts of Pakistan in regard to eliminating TB and said that Pakistan in doing a great job and approaching the target of MGDs better than other countries.
He further added that there is need to carefully address the issues of stigma attached with the disease as it is not a glamorous disease like AIDS. People should be sensitized and awareness should be made on the threat of MDR. She appreciated the efforts of Pakistan on having unique partnership with McDonalds and added that there is a strong like between good food and TB treatment.
Prof. Masood gave a brief overview of Stop TB Partnership Pakistan. He emphasized on the need to form a sub-committee of journalists at provincial level and various sub-groups of Stop TB Partnership like media, family physician etc. He proposed to involve Insan Foundation in order to engage GPs. He said that CME program has 600 GPs who can also be approached for training.
He also suggested to upload all the relevant material including minutes of meeting, World TB Day activities and fund raising activities of Stop TB Partnership Pakistan website and like its with NTP website.
Dr. Noor Ahmed Baloch said that NTP through a new grant from Global Found will be engaging General Practitioners in the fight against TB. He suggested to form a Steering Committee comprised of representatives of Stop TB Partnership Pakistan, Pakistan Medical Association and partners NGOs. Stop TB Partnership forum at provincial levels should have their own chairs and members with similar structure as of national forum.
Dr. Akmal Naveed during the meeting suggested training of GPs on the guidelines developed by NTP. He also suggested engaging of KCCI at provincial levels in terms of generating revenue. A component of TB can also be incorporated in the vocational trainings organized by Federal Education Ministry.
Dr. Amanullah Ansari suggested the forming of TB Partnership Committee at District Level. Dr. Aziz Tank proposed to engage 300 family physician on the panel of Pakistan Medical Association as DOTS facilitators and in order Stop TB Partnership Pakistan activities.
Dr. Wasiq Mehmood recommended to register Stop TB Partnership forum and that the partnership with Pakistan Medical Association is an excellent idea which will be a bench mark for Pakistan. He said that Stop TB Partnership should develop guidelines on how NTP can work in conflicting situation which can than be presented to government.
Ms. Amna Khalid briefed the participants about the activities carried out from the platform of Stop TB Partnership Pakistan and the future plan for the utilization of funds raised during these activities.