11,000 contract TB in Balochistan each year

QUETTA:

Manager TB Control Program, Balochistan Dr Asif Shahwani has said that Pakistan ranks 5th in the list of TB-spreading countries in the world and in Balochistan more than 11,000 people are diagnosed with TB annually which is really worrisome.

He added that after the diagnosis more than 11,000 people in Balochistan are provided free treatment every year.

He claimed that after a four year gap 2-day training on drug management and 5-day District Lab Supervisor refresher training is being arranged in the province.

He said this while addressing the participants of the training workshop. DG Health Balochistan Dr Nasir Bugti, Deputy Manager TB Control Program and Deputy Manager PT also participated in the workshop.

Dr Asif Shahwani said that Pakistan ranks 5th in the list of TB-spreading countries in the world. In Balochistan, more than 11,000 people are diagnosed with TB annually and are provided free medical treatment. Tests cost around Rs 50,000.

He said that 22 TB camps would be set up in every division of Balochistan for three months from January 2022 for TB diagnosis where screening for TB will be conducted.

He said that no training has been imparted to the employees of TB control program in Balochistan for the last four years which is unfortunate.

Dr Asif Shahwani said that TB is a 100 per cent treatable disease and we should continue the treatment of TB patients with restraint. It can be prevented. He said that TB patients should avoid spitting in public places and cover their mouth, nose with tissue and sleeve while coughing and sneezing.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2021.