KARACHI, July 12: TB control programme on the basis of Direct- Observation Treatment Short Course (DOTS) will be practically launched in Karachi by the city government from next week at all the earmarked health centres in seven towns which have received DOTS training.

The WHO-funded DOTS is being monitored by the health department of the city government which has already provided training to doctors, LHWs, LHVs and para-medics in seven towns of Karachi while concerned persons from five town are currently receiving it.

DOTS will be implemented from the next week in North Karachi, Korangi, Gulberg, Saddar, Liaquatabad, Gadap and Shah Faisal Towns where equipment and medicines have been provided at the centres earmarked for TB treatment.

Dy. District Officer Dr. Suleman Otho who is the focal person for DOTS in Karachi will supervise the whole exercise starting from five-day training to different groups.

He said tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria, called mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but they usually attack lungs.

DOTS will only address the most common form of TB which spreads through air from one person to another.

According to American Lung Association, Pakistan is among the 22 high TB-burden countries, accounting for 80 per cent of the world’s TB.

According to studies based on Pakistan, a lung TB patient can infect about 15 health persons in one year, therefore, it is necessary to create an awareness among public sector doctors and local practitioners regarding symptoms of TB.

With a rise in cases of AIDS, TB has made a comeback, between 1985 and 1992, the number of TB cases has increased since people infected with HIV have weak immune system.

The DOTS centres have been categorized into diagnostic centres and treatment centres.

Patients with symptoms of TB can be referred to these diagnostic centres of their respective towns for AFP sputum test while treatment centres have been established to cover a larger area from where only medicines would be provided.

These diagnostic centres have been established in existing health facilities of city government which are:

Korangi Town THO office; Faisal Town THO office; Saddar Town (Empress Market dispensary, Hijrat Colony dispensary; Liaquatabad town (Liaquatabad dispensary and mother and child health centre, Nazimabad); Gulberg Town (dispensary at block 16, F. B. Area; New Karachi Town (THO office); Gadap Town (Rural health centre Manghopir, rural health centre Memon Goth, Basic health unit Lassi Goth and Leprosy Hospital.—PPI