KARACHI, March 19: Like all countries across the globe, Pakistan will be observing the World Tuberculosis Day here on March 24 with the theme "Every Breath Counts: Stop TB Now".

In the backdrop of the fact that one-third of the world population is infected with tuberculosis the theme holds particular relevance for all developing countries.

From 16 to 20 million individuals are estimated to be actively suffering from the disease while around eight million people develop TB every year and two million among them die of it.

Ironically, tuberculosis induced death rate among women is more than maternal mortality rate despite the fact that TB is a curable ailment. The situation hence seeks urgent measures on part of government to launch a provocative campaign aimed to catalyze greater public participation in the movement against TB.

Public awareness and the involvement of civil society in the cause of tuberculosis elimination remains sub-optimal and it is imperative to infuse a sense of urgency in the TB movement and ensure acceleration of efforts by all stake holders in order to meet the World Health Assembly targets for 2005 - 70 per cent case detection and 85 per cent cure rate.

The current level of achievement is only about 73 per cent in TB case detection and 83 per cent with respect to its cure rate in the world. With regard to relevance of theme "Every Breath Counts: Stop TB Now" for Pakistan, it must be mentioned that workload of the Tuberculosis Control Programme has increased tremendously.

Efforts are required to improve the quality of care provided to the TB patients through universal TB-DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short-course) services available in all districts of Sindh.

In this context, the authorities concerned have suggested that the programme must strengthen public sector facilities and develop partnership with non-governmental organizations in order to involve the private sector in the fight against tuberculosis.

The sustained political commitment towards the programme has resulted in attaining many targets, however, greater challenges are being faced to achieve the main goals.

Fortunately, funding for the programme has been secured till June 2006, as the Sindh government has approved the PC-I extending the programme at a total revised cost of Rs149.035 million.

The integration of TB-DOTS in the district health system is expected to help address the existing weaknesses in the programme. This would also result in making the DOTS progress more patient friendly by using innovative approaches and operational research being carried out through WHO support. -APP