To review the progress of Stop TB Partnership Pakistan and to discuss future planning strategies and targets setting, National TB Control Program organized Fifth Meeting of Stop TB Partnership (STP) Pakistan under the Chairmanship of Prof. Masood Hameed Khan in Islamabad.
Prof. Masood Hameed Khan, Chairman, Stop TB Partnership and Vice Chancellor, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi in his welcome address gave a brief overview of STP activities. He outlined the objectives of the STP and informed that STP is working to mobilize different segments of the society including members of the chamber, media, academicians, celebrities etc. STP also works in creating awareness for the treatment of TB patients.
He appreciated the efforts on both print and electronic media in conveying the message regarding the diagnosis and treatment of TB to the masses. STP has decided to collaborate with media partners to generate funds which will be used in the treatment of TB patients.
Dr. Noor Ahmad Baloch, Vice Chairman STP and National Manager, National TB Control Program gave details of the minutes of last Meeting of STP and told that it has been registered as a Trust. He appreciated the efforts of Print and Electronic Media and involving business communities of Karachi.
He informed that the process of consultant hiring is in progress by NTP and the website structure will be developed and will be shared in the next quarterly meeting of STP. The accounts opening for STP is under process where two accounts for it would be opened soon. One account would cater to the donations while the other would be fixed for Zakat.
He said that STP is an indigenous resource mobilizing forum. There is need to generate funds within the country. Stop TB Ambassador of Jordan is likely to visit Pakistan in September 2010. She will be invited to meet the STP members.
Earlier, discussion were carried out on two points i.e. resource mobilization within the country and things to do without financial expenditures, in which all the members actively participated.
In the end, vote of thanks was offered by Ms. Amna Khalid, SPM-ACSM, NTP.