KARACHI, Dec 16: The chief of the Global Drug Facility, currently visiting Pakistan, has acknowledged the rapid strides made by the Tuberculosis Control Programme Sindh since 2001.

In his wrap-up meeting with senior officials of the health department here on Tuesday, he said the situation was also reflective of enormous potential the department holds in tackling other disease control programmes with the same level of commitment.

The meeting, among others, was attended by Mohammad Iqbal Deewan, additional secretary (development), health Dr. Srichand Ochani, additional secretary (procurement), health and Dr. Qadir Baksh Memon, director-general, Sindh Health Services.

Dr. Akhter, who had earlier visited the Nazimabad Chest Clinic run by the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, expressed his admiration for the manner in which tertiary-care institutions were involved in TB-DOTS control efforts in the province.

Meanwhile, talking to the authorities at the above mentioned meeting, the GDF chief of mission said the organization was providing drugs to 46 eligible countries, including Pakistan, however, the support could not be extended beyond 2005.

Dr Srichand Ochani explained the procurement procedures currently being practised in Sindh in the light of the devolution process and assured that orientation sessions would be held with all District Nazims soon so that they could be apprised about the importance of the TB-DOTS programme.

He mentioned that in the light of an earlier standing practice of the department of health, the district governments are being advised to allocate 10 per cent of the regular budget for medicine, with particular reference to anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Additional secretary Iqbal Deewan assured the GDP personnel that the Sindh health department accords highest priority to the TB control and it would continue to provide adequate funding for the very programme in the long term.

The National Program Manager for TB Control, Dr Syed Karam Shah, said the drug management process in TB control would be streamlined with the support of USAID, management sciences for health and German Leprosy Relief Association.

Referring to the concern voiced by Dr Holger Sawert, a member of the mission concerning the sustainability of the programme after the GDF support was terminated, Dr Ochani maintained that the health department would generate the requisite resources for the programme.

Subsequently, the director-general, Sindh Health Services, presided over a session during which Dr Nazir A Sheikh, the outgoing director, presented details about status of TB-DOTS programme.

He in his presentation mentioned that the case detection has increased considerably and during the third quarter of 2003, a total of 6,405 TB cases, including 2,269 smear positive cases, have been identified and the patients are being duly treated.

Under the programme, Dr Shaikh said 1,445 doctors, 1,207 paramedics and 231 lab technicians, besides hundreds of lady health workers, have been trained.

According to him, the cure rate is expected to be raised by 85 per cent by 2005, with major emphasis on making the DOTS process more patient-friendly.

The newly-appointed Director, Sindh TB Control Program, Dr Iqtidar, WHO National Programme Officer for TB Control, Dr Amanullah Ansari, WHO Operations Officer for Sindh. Dr Ghulam Nabi Kazi and WHO Sociologists, Najma Qadir were also present.

The director-general health thanked WHO for its constant support and assured that monitoring process would be further strengthened and streamlined in the province, adding that a close coordination with WHO will also be ensured so that relevant problems are addressed expeditiously.—APP