Ejaz launches drive campaign to control TB
By Bushra Makhdoom

Islamabad—The value of advocacy, communication and social mobilization (ACSM) is becoming increasingly valued in TB control strateghies. There is an increasing wealth of experience and evidence, demonstrating the value of ACSM in mobilizing political support and leadership for TB control strategies at all levels; in empowering people affected by TB; in improving case detection, boosting treatment adherence; and in tackling stigma.
This was stated by Mr. Ejaz Rahim, the Federal Minister of Health at the formal launching of a National Communication campaign by National TB Control Programme, in Islamabad. The occasion was attended by officials from Ministry of Health, National & Provincial TB Control Programmes as well as National and International partners of TB control Programme in ACSM.
Dr. Hassan Sadiq, National Manager TB control Programme, in his welcome address emphasized the importance of ACSM saying that it can play a critical role in mobilizing communities and individuals toward early health seeking behavior and treatment adherence. He elaborated, that the focus of TB control intervention to date in Pakistan has been towards the establishment and strengthening of clinical services around the country. However, a significant scaling up of advocacy, communication and social mobilization for TB was the current focus of the programme.
The speakers’ including Dr. Khalife Bile Mohammud, WHO Country Representative for Pakistan, emphasized that with DOTS expansion and gradual strengthening of service delivery by National and Provincial TB Control Programmes, the case detection has improved steadily. Put challenges were still there in terms of treatment adherence and issues like stigma at the community level. To address these challenges, structured communication campaigns catering to needs of advocacy, programme communication and social mobilization, could prove to be good contributors towards achievement of TB control objectives.
TB or tuberculosis poses a significant public health threat to developing countries like Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan and civil society are increasingly investing in control of this communicable yet preventable and curable disease. Pakistan is still 6th among the 22 high burden countries with incidence of 181 per 100,000 populations. TB share 5,1 % of the total national disease burden. The federal government run National TB control Programme with its provincial supporting departments in all four provinces, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Northern Areas are ensuring free of cost diagnosis and treatment facilities at all public health centers.
Since the revival of National Programme in 2000, more than 700,000 patients have been registered for treatment, out of which 85 % successfully completed their treatment. The programme in its recent reviews by international donors have been hailed and commended for its progress.
TB a preventable and curable disease is annually taking more that 66,000 lives in the country.
The NPT officials recommended that the disease could be controlled if prompt access is ensured to the nearest heath facility upon appearance of symptoms. Diagnosis and treatment services which are completely free of cost at all public health facilities if availed in time, could save the life of a number of people.