Islamabad, March 22, 2018 (PPI-OT): TB Awareness Walk was organized in connection with World T.B. Day in Islamabad. A large number of senior government officials, health experts, representatives of voluntary organization and international agencies working in TB. Control participated. Speaking on the occasion Brig. Dr. Aamer Ikram, National Coordinator for AIDS, T.B. and Malaria Common Unit said the theme of this year’s day focuses on the role of leaders in building commitment to end TB, not only at the political level but at all tiers.
From community leaders, to people affected with TB, civil society advocates, health workers, doctors or nurses, nongovernmental organizations and other partners, all can be leaders of efforts to end TB in their own area of work. He added that World TB Day aims to raise the public’s awareness about TB and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The aim of the walk was to increase awareness regarding TB and also to promote best practices among the general public to avoid spread of disease.
The heaviest burden is still carried by low-income and vulnerable groups such as women, children, older people, migrants, refugees, prisoners, ethnic minorities, miners and others working and living in risk-prone settings During the session Mr. Muhammad Assai Ardakani and Brig. Dr. Aamer Ikram highlighted the current situation of TB in Pakistan. They also said that TB is a major public health threat. They shared awareness regarding TB control and its prevention practices.
National TB Control Program is one of the best public health program in the country. Free TB diagnostic and treatment services are available in more than 1700 public and private sector facilities across country. In 2016 around 69% of the estimated incident TB cases were notified and put on treatment.
More than 90% of the TB patients notified are successfully treated. Majority of TB cases notified, are in productive age group (15-45 years) and 12% of the notified cases are children. More than 120 advanced diagnostic facilities and 32 specialized treatment facilities established across country for free of cost early diagnosis and treatment for MDR TB patient.
TB is curable and majority of the TB patients can be cured with 6 month regular anti TB treatment. Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR) TB is a less common form of TB (4% of all TB) which cannot be cured with regular 6-month TB treatment. MDR-TB develops in a TB patient as a result of poor adherence to TB treatment or in any person who is in contact with MDR-TB patient.
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