PESHAWAR, June 19: The Global Fund for Aids, TB and Malaria has approved a grant of Rs20.5 million for controlling malaria and TB in Nowshera and the Frontier Region of Peshawar.

An official in the health department said the amount had been obtained from the GFATM through the Citizens Community Board, especially created for the purpose, because the fund did not allocate grants to governments.

He said the amount would be spent on strengthening the malaria and TB prevention services in Nowshera and the Peshawar region. He said the project would be implemented through the basic development need project of the WHO, which was already under way in Nowshera and the Frontier Region of Peshawar.

The global health agency had already drawn up a working paper to utilise the amount as soon as possible because the grant would lapse if not spent by September 30 this year.

According to the WHO, a three-day training programme for 12 master trainers on new treatment guidelines, malaria early warning system (MEWS) and health management information system (HMIS) and a one-day training programme for health providers would be organised.

It had also planned to improve the malaria surveillance system and epidemic preparedness through a one-day training workshop for health workers from public and private sectors.

The official said that funds would be utilized to provide anti-malarial drugs to the Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centres and establish diagnostic centres there.

He said that mother and child health services would be established in collaboration with the community, especially to screen pregnant women and children for malaria.

He said that village development committees already established under the BDN project would be further strengthened besides building of community-based models for environmental management of malaria control through provision of continuous water supply and proper drainage of stagnant water to be sustained and managed by the community.

He said that the progress of the programme would be monitored by a third party.

The official said that microscopes and other equipment would be provided to local-level health facilities to diagnose the cases of TB and malaria and ensure prompt treatment through provision of free drugs, adding that training workshops for laboratory technicians had also been planned so they could diagnose the cases of TB and malaria.

He said that a plan had been chalked out to hold monthly meetings with local and district Nazims to sensitise them about TB and malaria.

He said that a one-day extensive training had been scheduled for Lady Health Workers, community representatives and volunteers. According to him, the plan also included holding seminars for media people, religious leaders, nazims and councillors.