2 weeks Ago By Our Staff Reporter
Peshawar - In commemoration of World TB Day, a significant awareness programme was held at Khyber Medical University (KMU), organized by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa TB Control Programme. The event was graced by the Advisor to the Chief Minister for Health, Ihtesham Ali, as the chief guest. Also in attendance were MPA Shafiullah Khan, Director General Health Services Dr.
Mohammad Saleem, Vice-Chancellor of KMU Prof Dr Zia-ul-Haq, WHO Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Dr Babar Alam, and representatives from various international organizations. During the programme, Project Director Dr Mudasir Shehzad briefed the audience, highlighting that Pakistan ranks fifth globally in terms of TB burden. He shared that approximately 277 out of every 100,000 Pakistanis contract tuberculosis each year.
Nationwide, between 600,000 and 700,000 new TB cases are reported annually, with 470,000 cases recorded last year alone. Tax incentives for Gwadar Port not possible, Senate body told Focusing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Shehzad stated that over 100,000 new cases emerge annually, yet only 50,000 to 60,000 are registered under the provincial TB control programme—leaving many unregistered patients at risk of spreading the infection within their communities. He highlighted that 235 Basic Management Units (BMUs) have been established in public hospitals, offering free diagnosis, treatment, consultation, and counseling for TB patients.
Additionally, 1,450 general practitioners from the private sector have been integrated into the TB care network, significantly enhancing case detection and curbing hidden transmission. He further revealed that the programme has successfully provided free treatment to over 800,000 TB patients to date. He noted that targeted interventions are underway to reduce the spread of drug-resistant TB, with approximately 2,100 cases reported annually in the province.
More than 4,000 drug-resistant TB patients have already received free, specialized care. OIC stands firm behind Kashmiris: Special Envoy Ihtesham also highlighted the high cost of managing drug-resistant TB, noting that treating a single patient over an 18-month period can cost up to PKR 1 million. Speaking at the event, DG Health Dr Saleem underscored the integration of HIV testing at all TB diagnostic centres across the province.
He added that 10 mobile vans equipped with digital X-ray machines and GeneXpert systems have been deployed to facilitate early detection, particularly in remote areas. He also emphasized the role of 60 GeneXpert sites and 73 machines in enabling swift and accurate TB diagnosis. Advanced molecular diagnostic tools—including 4 COBAS machines and 5 Drug-Resistant Units—are also playing a critical role in the province’s TB control efforts.
Dr Saleem further shared that the establishment of 14 additional Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB treatment sites at the grassroots level is helping to ensure more accessible and localized care for patients across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. FC free eye camp ends in Landi Kotal Tags: event held.
