Community participation is essential control to TB : Dr. Zarfishan Tahir

Lahore : With a view to boost up the community participation in prevention and control on TB and to evolve a strategy for registration of missing TB patients,The National TB Control Program has organized two days consultative workshop in Lahore from Sept.13.

Besides,the Head of WHO EMRO region Dr. Akhter, WHO Geneva rep. Dr.Lena, Provincial Heads of four provinces of TB control programs, rep of Mercy Corp and other stakeholders attending the meeting.

While addressing the first day session the speakers revealed that full community participation in prevention and control of TB is essential and the main objective of the two days consultation meeting is to strengthen the communication management so that the teams of TB program could reach to such patients who have yet not registered.

All the Provincial Heads of TB control programs gave presentations regarding the present situation of the disease in their provinces and the steps/ initiatives taken for control and treatment of TB.

The participants would prepare recommendations for future strategy after group discussions. Director Punjab TB Control Program Dr. Zarfishan Tahir informed that the services of LHWs have also acquired to create awareness about the disease and at present in 12 districts LHWs are working on it.

However, the scope of this would be extended to other district very soon. She disclosed that PTP would sign an MoU with the Local Govt Department for the promotion of TB control activities. Manager Partnership Development Zubair Ahmad informed that PTP has launched TB screening program with the collaboration of different organizations. He informed that so far 26 thousand industrial workers have been screened.

More over screening of two thousand Lawyers have also completed with help of LHC Bar. He further informed that a project of TB screening of workers of stone crushing industry in DG Khan has also been launched.

Director PTP Dr. Zarfishan Tahir of the view that Special teams would visit southern districts of the province after Moharrum to hold TB screening camps.

Manager National TB Control Program Dr. Aurangzeb said that free diagnostic and treatment facilities are available across the country. He stressed the need of creating awareness among the masses regarding the disease as well as the facilities available.

He said that apart from the government, it is also a  responsibility of the community to actively participate in creating awareness and to help TB patients to reach the health facilitates for their treatment.