Modern treatment helps patients complete TB course earlier

Islamabad: Manager of National Tuberculosis Control Programme Dr. Nasir Mehmood said the modern treatment has made it possible for the patients of tuberculosis to complete their medical course in six months instead of two years time frame.

"The two years long medical course for tuberculosis is a very hectic exercise due to which many patients leave the course unfinished but now it will be possible for them to go through it in just six months," he said.

He said a total of 330,000 patients of tuberculosis are getting treatment from their centres where relevant staff members not only take care of them but also provide travelling allowances and food products to them.

Dr. Nasir Mehmood said there are more than 5,50,000 patients of tuberculosis in the country and over 200,000 are receiving treatment from the private hospitals while remaining are being given treatment in their centres.

He said: "There are currently 119 machines in their centres to diagnose tuberculosis but their number would be increased up to 429 that would greatly help deal with this fatal disease that is completely curable."  Every patient of tuberculosis should complete his/her medical course because if it is left unfinished then it can pose dangers to their health, he said, adding "They receive some 10,000 people at their diagnostic and treatment centres where they are provided with state-of-the-art medical facilities."