ISLAMABAD, June 19: Proposals are being made to improve the quality of Directly-Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) short courses for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB).

In this regard, a workshop on research methodology and proposal development organized by the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP), ministry of health, is currently being conducted.

Pakistan ranks 6th amongst the high burden countries of TB globally and contributes to 43 per cent of the burden in the Eastern Mediterranean region of WHO and where more than 50,000 people die from this disease annually. To deal with TB epidemic, the NTCP has promoted the use of WHO-proven strategy DOTS and is in the process of its nationwide implementation.

The NTCP is striving to improve the quality of DOTS implementation. It is focussing on capacity building in all spheres. Operational research is one of the priorities of the programme. The major objective under this activity is to enhance research capacity of TB control programme through access to resources, expertise and training and to carry out operational research for the introduction of an evidence-based service delivery.

Proposals would be recommended for funding against the available budget under USAID/WHO project. To achieve the objective, a countrywide research network has been established by constituting research groups in consultation with the provincial TB control programmes.

Dr Syed Karam Shah, manager NTCP, in the opening of the workshop gave a presentation on the importance of operational research for the programme and said, "we are fortunate to have the experts in the field of research from all over Pakistan to be with us for this activity." Dr Tasleem Akhter, director PMRC, presided over the first session.

National and international professionals including Dr Amal Basilli, research coordination from the WHO Dr Hassan Sadiq, deputy manager NTCP, and Dr Noor Ahmad, research coordinator are facilitating the workshop.