‘Awareness can control TB spread’

22 TB screening camps to be set up in each division during three months of TB screening

QUETTA:

Provincial Manager TB Control Program Dr Asif Shahwani has said that Pakistan ranked 5th in spread of TB worldwide and this can be stopped by creating awareness among the people, adding that testing of TB patients in all basic health units (BHUs) in Quetta and provision of treatment facilities to them is among the priorities.

“Balochistan TB Control Program provides free treatment to more than 11,000 people annually,” he added.

“This year, 22 TB screening camps will be set up in each division during the three months of TB screening,” he said while presiding over a meeting.

Dr Saeedullah, Provincial Manager TB Control Program, Deputy Manager Dr Khurram Hadi, Program Manager PTP Dr Irfan Raisai, PPHI Dr Mukhtiar Zehri, Regional Coordinator and others were also present.

Shahwani said that provision of TB diagnosis and treatment in all BHUs of Quetta is among the priorities of the government, adding that the capacity of the staff is being enhanced by training the medical officers, doctors and laboratory staff of BHUs so that they can provide better testing and treatment facilities to the patients.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2022.