The Manager National TB Control Programme
Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan

requests the pleasure of your company on the occasion of

WORLD TB DAY 2001
on Saturday, 24th March 2001 at 9.30 a.m. at Best Western Hotel Islamabad

PROF. DR. ABDUL MALIK KASI
Hon’ble Minister for Health Government of Pakistan

has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest

"DOTS --- TB CURE FOR ALL"

PROGRAMME

9.30 a.m.     Registration and seating of guests

9.55 a.m.    Arrival of the Chief Guest

10.00 a.m.    Recitation from the Holy Qur’an

10.05 a.m.    Welcome Address and Dr. Syed Karam Shah, Manager NTP Pakistan

Presentation on the Status of the National

Tuberculosis Control Program in Pakistan

10.35 a.m. Message of the Chief Executive Dr. Hassan Sadiq, Deputy Manager NTP Pakistan

10.40 a.m. Message of the Regional Director WHO H.E. Dr. Faizullah Kakar, WHO Representative

10.50 a.m. Keynote Address Mr. Ejaz Rahim, Secretary Ministry of Health

11.00 a.m. Address of the Chief Guest Prof. A. M. Kasi, Federal Health Minister

11.20 a.m. Adoption of the Islamabad Declaration Dr. Arif Noor, NTP Pakistan

11.30 a.m. Vote of Thanks Dr. Hasan Sadiq, Deputy Manager NTP Pakistan

11.35 a.m. Refreshments

Let us join together in the fight against Tuberculosis

MESSAGE FROM GENERAL PERVEZ MUSHARRAF, CHIEF EXECUTIVE,
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN
ON WORLD TB DAY 24TH MARCH, 2001

On the occasion of the World TB Day, the Government of Pakistan reaffirms its pledge to reduce the burden of Tuberculosis in the country that is currently the cause of enormous human suffering. I would like the crusade against TB to be taken up on an emergency footing until such time that we succeed in significantly reducing the incidence of this disease in the country.

With political commitment and broad social support, we can and must expand access to health services for treatment of Tuberculosis. We must act now to halt the further emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of TB.

The Government of Pakistan has already taken several steps to translate its commitment into concrete actions by implementing the National TB Control Programme based on Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS) strategy, increasing allocation of resources, providing strong leadership and ensuring accountability. Through its efforts to support the DOTS strategy, the Government is endeavouring to develop human capacity, expand health services and ensure regular supplies of drugs and other vital needs that bring the DOTS services closer to the communities and reach the most vulnerable populations. The support from all stakeholders including the representatives of the private sector and the international agencies cannot be overemphasised.

As members of the community, we can play our role by encouraging the sick and by seeking early medical care and support for them to complete their treatment. Every one of us has a crucial role to play in TB control. We all must join our forces to make our future in 21st century free from the scourge of one of mankind’s oldest enemies.

MESSAGE OF THE FEDERAL MINISTER FOR HEALTH
ON THE WORLD TB DAY (24TH MARCH 2001)

I am pleased to learn that the World TB Day is being observed on 24 March 2001 with the appropriate theme of "DOTS: TB Cure for All". I am sure the campaign will succeed in alerting our community leaders to the situation of TB sufferers worldwide, the effects of the disease on human development and raising awareness that a cost-effective cure for Tuberculosis exists in the shape of Directly Observed Treatment Short course ( DOTS ).

Anyone can contract TB, the disease thrives on the most vulnerable—the marginalized, discriminated against populations, and people living in poverty. In this fast-moving world, health is being increasingly claimed around the world as an inalienable human right. Against this backdrop, Pakistan having the fifth highest incidence in the world does not occupy an enviable position with regard to Tuberculosis. This single fact must motivate us to bring communities together in pursuit of our common goal.

Before I conclude I must say Tuberculosis Control is priority area of Ministry of Health and it is a matter of satisfaction that today the Government of Pakistan is far ahead in its efforts to control Tuberculosis than on any such previous occasion in the recent past. This was possible, only because of commitment of all concerned, especially the TB Control Programme and NGOs like Anti-TB Associations.

I wish success to all, working to build TB free society in Pakistan.

PROF. ABDUL MALIK KASI

MESSAGE OF THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH GOVERNMENT

OF PAKISTAN ON THE WORLD TB DAY (24TH MARCH 2001)

Since times immemorial TB has been the most merciless killer of the mankind. Despite modern developments in medical science it still keeps decimating the populace in the developed and developing countries.

WHO has declared tuberculosis a global emergency. About on third of the world’s population is infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (WHO 1997). In 1995 there were about nine million new TB cases with three million deaths. Mycobacterium tuberculosis kills more people than any single infectious agent. Deaths from TB comprise 25% of all the avoidable deaths in the developing countries (WHO 1997).

In Pakistan, too, it keeps ravaging uncontrolled. The burden of tuberculosis in Pakistan is estimated at 5% and thus is substantially higher than the world average. Because, here we have not only to fight TB but also many other related problems, such as ignorance, illiteracy, poverty, lack of doctors, lack of medicines, lack of funds, lack of concerted and coordinated efforts in the public sector, lack of participation of the private sector and abundance of hurdles in almost every segment. DOTS (Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course) strategy is a major breakthrough in the control of this disease.

TB control programme in this country started about 35 years ago. So, far the success of the programme has been partial. There is need to reengineer our efforts to tackle this emerging challenge. It is my belief that the efforts of the Federal and Provincial TB control programmes along with their partners like TB Associations will enable us to get rid of this menace.

Ejaz Rahim

USING THE DOTS STRATEGY IN NATIONAL TB CONTROL PROGRAM

Sunday, 25 March 2001.

INAUGURAL SESSION

9.15 a.m.    Registration and Guests to be seated

9.30 a.m.    Arrival of the Chief Guest

9.35 a.m.    Recitation from the Holy Qur’an

9.40 a.m.    Welcoming remarks and objectives of the Seminar
                    --- Dr. Syed Karam Shah NTP Manager

9.50 a.m.    Remarks of RIT Representative
                    ---Dr. Akira Shimouchi Head ICA RIT

10.00 a.m.    Address of the Guest of Honour
                    ---Ms. Asako Okai, Head of Economic and Development Section Embassy of Japan

10.10 a.m.    Address of the Chief Guest
                    ---Mr. Matiullah Khan Sr. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health

10.20 a.m.    Vote of Thanks
                    ---Dr. Hasan Sadiq Dy. Manager NTP

10.30 a.m.    Refreshments

FIRST TECHNICAL SESSION (Chair the session: Dr. Amanullah Ansari; Rapporteur: Dr. Ashraf Ali Bugti)

10.50 a.m.    Successful Experiences of DOTS
                    ---Dr. Shimouchi, RIT Japan

12.00 a.m    DOTS Strategy ---Dr. Akihiro Seita

1.00 p.m.    General Discussion

2.00 p.m.       Lunch and Prayers

SECOND TECHNICAL SESSION (Chair the session: Dr. Hassan Sadiq; Rapporteur: Dr. Arif Noor)

3.00 p.m.    Successful Experiences of DOTS
                    ---Dr. Reshad, Consultant JICA

4.00 p.m.    Observations regarding Tuberculosis
                    ---Dr. Keiko Inaba Health Sector Control in Pakistan Adviser JICA

4.30 p.m.    Review
                    ---Dr. S.Karam Shah NTP Manager

5.00 p.m. Tea

 

Monday, 26 March 2001

THIRD TECHNICAL SESSION (Chair the session: Dr. Akihiro Seita; Rapporteur: Dr. Karam Shah)

9.00 a.m.    Presentation of PTP Balochistan
                    ---PTP Manager Balochistan

9.10 a.m.    Discussion

9.20 a.m. Presentation of PTP NWFP
                    ---PTP Manager NWFP

9.30 a.m.    Discussion

9.40 a.m.    Presentation of PTP Sindh
                    ---Director TB Control Sindh

9.50 a.m.    Discussion

10.00 a.m.    Presentation of PTP Punjab
                    ---PTP Manager Punjab

10.10 a.m.    Discussion on the Punjab Presentation and other generic issues

10.50 a.m.    Tea

FOURTH TECHNICAL SESSION (Chair the session: Dr. Muhammad Hussain Khan; Rapporteur: Dr. Ghulam Nabi Khokhar)

11.15 a.m.    Presentation of FATA
                    ---DTO FATA

11.25 a.m.    Discussion

11.35 a.m.    Presentation of Northern Areas
                    ---Provincial TB/Leprosy Officer

11.45 a.m.     Discussion

11.55 a.m.    Presentation of AJK
                    ---Provincial TB/Leprosy Officer

12.05 p.m.    Discussion on AJK and other Generic issues

12.30 p.m.    Formulation of Group Recommendations

1.30 p.m.    Lunch and Prayers

CONCLUDING SESSION (Chair the session: Dr. Akira Shimouchi; Rapporteur: Dr. Karam Shah)

2.30 p.m. Finalizing of recommendations of Provincial / Territorial Groups

3.00 p.m.    Objectives/Review of the Seminar
                    ---NTP Manager

3.10 p.m.    Presentation of Conclusions and Recommendations
                    ---Dy. NTP Manager

3.40 p.m.    Adoption of Resolution of the Seminar

3.50 p.m.    Concluding Remarks of the Chief Guest

4.00 p.m.    Vote of Thanks
                    ---Health Sector Adviser JICA

4.10 p.m.    Tea

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