Govt to utilize all resources to eradicate TB from Pakistan: President

ISLAMABAD, April 3 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Wednesday said all resources would be mobilized to fight Tuberculosis (TB) and eradicate it from Pakistan.

Speaking at the National Seminar to launch ‘Free TB Pakistan’ initiative, he said World TB Day was observed every year to create public awareness about the disease and eradicate it from the society.

The president said educating the people would also help fight and controlled various diseases including TB, adding media in that regard could play a vital role to create awareness among the people about the health issues.

He said most of the diseases could be controlled and avoided if timely checked.

The president said though after the devolution of powers, health had remained a provincial subject but the federal government was committed to help and guide the provinces in their efforts for health related issues.

He also offered his office services in that regard.
He said the government was focusing on malnutrition, stunting and diet change, adding, marriages of girls below 16 years of age created health related issues in the new born babies.

He said despite economic challenges, the government was focusing on addressing social issues of the people, adding the launch of Insaf Health Card would benefit poor segments of the society where a poor family would be given Rs700,000 health card to continue their treatment from any hospital.

The president said he had written a letter to the Council of Islamic idealogy to play its role for propagation of social issues and added Minbar of mosques could be used in a better way for creating awareness among the masses regarding social and health related issues.

He also urged that media and religious scholars must play their constructive role in creating awareness among the masses regarding polio, population control and hygiene.

Minister for National Health Services, Aamir Mehmood Kiyani said highest priority was given by the present government for a TB free Pakistan and hoped by 2030 Pakistan would be made a TB free country.

He said Pakistan was unfortunately at 5th number out of 30 countries where TB was on the rise, adding 58,000 people died of TB in Pakistan last year.

He said the government had set up 6,500 such places where TB treatment could be provided.

He said the government had started screening of 100,000 people about TB and hepatitis diseases, adding that vaccine for various diseases was also being made.

Kayani said despite a meager budget for health sector, the government would utilized all its resources to improve health sector and control various diseases.

Later, the president gave away commemorative shields for representatives of all the four provinces and health experts for their contributions in health sector.