'All Facilities For Childhood TB Available In Public Hospitals'

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Oct, 2018 ) :As per policy of the government, free diagnostic and treatment facilities for childhood TB are available in public sector hospitals as well as in the DHQ/THQ hospitals and the RHCs.

Special training for childhood TB have been provided to the child specialists in all districts and it is an ongoing process where fresh doctors are trained and previous batches are provided refresher trainings.

This was stated by Provincial Director Punjab TB Control Programme (PTP) Dr Zarfishan Tahir. She said that the WHO recommended literature and manuals were periodically upgraded by the PTP in consultation with Pakistan Paediatric Association and provided to district staff for guidance.

Moreover, the WHO recommended rapid diagnostic tool gene expert is available in all districts and all childhood cases are tested by it on priority basis.

Dr Zarfishan Tahir also informed that for controlling of infection in under five children, prophylactic treatment is given to children who has an active TB case in their household.

Manager Operation Development Zubair Ahmad informed that after 2013 lot of improvements had been witnessed in the health facilities. He said that phase wise gradual increases in number of centres, number of registration of TB patients also improved.

He said that these efforts had been succeeded and in 2017 a total 15643 children with TB were registered and free treatment was provided to them.

Program Director Dr. Zarfishan further informed that the government was providing free treatment to the registered TB patients in collaboration of Global Fund.

Moreover, on the instruction of Punjab Health Minister, HIV test of TB patients were also being carried out, she concluded.