TB control beset with huge funding deficit

Media brought on board to help mobilise resources, raise awareness

Islamabad

Each year, more than half a million people in Pakistan develop tuberculosis, 50 per cent of them being bacteriologically positive. However, a far bigger concern is that Pakistan’s efforts to control the disease stand impeded by a shortfall of $492 million over the next three years. The only major funding currently available is $143 million from the Global Fund, plus some insignificant amount contributed by the government and other sources.

Dr. Nasir Mehmood, manager of the National TB Control Programme shared this harrowing fact at a consultative meeting with the media here on Wednesday. He urged the media to support in advocacy for resource mobilisation, and to help create awareness and generate demand for treatment among communities. The participants also attended the launch of the National Strategic Plan for TB Control, which was simultaneously taking place in the same venue.

The consultative meeting was organised by Stop TB Pakistan (STP) with the support of Mercy Corps. STP has been the driving force behind the process. Media personality Kanwal Naseer, who was the chief guest on the occasion, extended full support in TB control interventions through talk shows and dramas. Representatives of national and provincial TB control programmes were also present.

Dr. Sharaf Ali Shah, vice chair of STP, shared the achievements of STP in supporting TB control activities in Pakistan. He also highlighted the importance of community engagement and information dissemination at a larger scale, specially the findings of the available research data in order to help make informed decisions.

Dr. Karam Shah, adviser STP, termed TB care and control as a basic human right. “It is the responsibility of the government to provide quality services to the people,” he stated.

The key recommendations emerging from the workshop included information sharing and enhanced networking with the media to keep them abreast of latest developments with regard to TB. The media also requested for capacity building opportunities on TB so that they are able to truly contribute towards TB control. An annual award for journalists based on merit was also suggested for those who contribute to the noble cause. Interviews of cured TB patients, use of social media, Ulema’s participation, and TV shows were some of the other suggestions made by the participants.

TB is a major public health problem in Pakistan. The country has the 5th highest TB burden amongst the world’s 30 high-burden countries. Approximately 3 million people get TB every year in EMR, and a third does not get TB services. Currently, development of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB is an emerging challenge for Pakistan. The estimated number of MDR cases in the country is 13,000 per year, whereas only 2,000 to 3,000 patients are diagnosed and treated. These patients and their treatment supporters are also being provided social support.