ISLAMABAD: More than 1.5 million tuberculosis (TB) patients have been treated free of cost both at public and welfare hospitals across the country during last 14 years.

This was stated at a seminar on TB held at Aiwan-i-Quaid F-9 Park on Wednesday.

The seminar was organised by Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) on World TB Day.

An official of the health ministry informed the participants that in 2013, 300,000 TB cases were reported to National TB Control Programme and treatment success rate was 91 per cent.

In June 2010 to December 2014, 5,886 TB patients were enrolled in 24 centers and 3,435 patients were still under treatment by the end of December 2014, he added.

He said 10 hospitals had developed infection control and up-gradation plan to reduce the risk of transmission of the disease.

NHS Minister Saira Afzal Tarar said Pakistan was one of the countries with high incidence of TB.

“The key to controlling TB is to raise awareness about its symptoms and encourage sufferers to seek treatment which is available free of cost. It should be ensured that patients follow full course of medication.

Also, tuberculosis carries social stigma, which is a major obstacle to treatment,” she said.

“TB is a curable disease but prevention is better than cure. I request mediapersons to play their role as complete information can help in saving the lives of thousands of people who die of TB every year,” she said.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2015

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