Health is one of the blessings which cannot be replaced by anything. There are various diseases which can spoil the health and prove to be fatal for life. One of the harmful diseases is Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from one person to another through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.  Moreover, TB infection soared in 1985 because of the rise of (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) HIV.  This virus also causes AIDS. It weakens a person’s immune system and because of that, it can’t fight the TB germs. People with active tuberculosis must take several types of medications for many months to obliterate the infection and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. TB can also affect other parts of your body including kidneys, spine or brain. When TB occurs outside the lungs, signs and symptoms vary according to the organs involved. For instance tuberculosis of the spine can give back pain and tuberculosis in kidneys can cause blood in your urine.

Pakistan currently ranks fifth amongst countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis alongside the fourth highest burden of Drug-Resistant TB globally. In an estimated population of around 180 million annually around 430,000 people including 15,000 children contract tuberculosis in Pakistan. Moreover, every year not less than 70,000 deaths can be attributed to the disease in the country. In Pakistan, especially in Balochistan, the people are suffering from TB in a high number. Balochistan is struggling to control tuberculosis as over 27,000 new cases surfaced in the province in past year.

The state is responsible for such outrageous adversities. In this regard, the provincial government of Balochistan is putting efforts for ousting TB. A framework has been launched in Balochistan to end the TB epidemic, the provincial health department will launch a project called ‘Ao TB mitao’. Stop TB Pakistan (National Partnership) has initiated a five-year strategic plan to control TB in Balochistan. This plan has recommendations as per the guidelines by World Health Organization and is in line with the requirements of the province for the timely end of TB. Treatment should be started at the earliest while ensuring that facilities are in place at government hospitals for the treatment of TB. Moreover, a hospital in Karachi has provided technical support for the project in Balochistan while the Global Fund has provided the financial support to TB Control Program. Balochistan TB Control Program Coordinator, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Lehri said that the three-year project to control TB is at similarity with international standards. Among other measures which will be taken to battle the spread of the disease a mobile van equipped with the latest digital X-Ray facility to test patients will be part of the project. Although the people are getting cured of the disease still more efforts are required in Balochistan.

In order to steady Balochistan and make the province TB free, the provisional government must put dire efforts in producing different diagnosis centres in different provinces of Balochistan such as Awaran, Hub, Dera Bugti, Pishin etc. Moreover, proper awareness campaigns should be assembled to take place on an emergency basis in schools and colleges. Vaccination should be given to the patients of TB as early as the disease should be diagnosed and these vaccinations should be made available in all hospitals of Balochistan. Special hospitals should be made in Balochistan that will cure only patients of TB. TB/HIV specialist should be appointed in those hospitals. Media should give awareness regarding programs related to TB. Apart from that precautions should be disseminated on social media via public health messages. In holistic view, Balochistan is ushering in a new era and getting modernized, for all these accomplishments a healthy human resource is required to achieve the desired ends. The government of Balochistan must look into these reforms.

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