Pakistan Gets Rs 190m Ec Grant For Tb Eradication

[EagleEyes]

Finally! something is being done for TB, i know many people in Pakistan who have TB it is a major problem nowadays, it should be take care of soon. I am happy that efforts are being taken, but this needs to be done fast, to save the people who already have TB and suffering from it.

Pakistan gets Rs 190m EC grant for TB eradication

ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 : The European Commission has granted a hefty amount of Rs 190 million for tuberculosis (TB) eradication from Pakistan, a disease killing nearly 50,000 people annually in the poverty-stricken country.

The Commission would provide funding to reduce the prevalence of TB in Balochistan and Sindh provinces under its “Aid for Poverty-related Diseases” programme, which would be implemented by the Mercy Corps.

An official signing ceremony was held here between EC and Mercy Corps in the presence of Federal Minister for Health Muhammad Nasir Khan.

Ambassador of European Commission Ilkka Uusitalo and Country Director of Mercy Corps’ Faiza Janmohamed inked the agreement.

The programme will target Ministry of Health’s objective to increase tuberculosis case detection and treatment outcomes by providing TB-Directly Observed Treatment (TB-DOTS) in 60 diagnostic centres of government district hospitals.

Under the programme, approximately 11,230 TB patients would be benefited from improved TB diagnosis and treatment services each year, which will in turn markedly reduce TB prevalence and prevent further transmission in communities. Thus, it is estimated that around 6,345 million men, women and children would benefit indirectly due to this programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Health Minister Nasir Khan said that Pakistan has made a significant progress to achieve targets of DOTS programme but still a lot more is required.

He further said that there was huge link of tuberculosis with other deadly diseases including HIV/AIDS.

Speaking about the Millennium Development Goals, Nasir Khan said that the government was making serious efforts to achieve MDGs, especially in health sector.

He further said, government was also working on a project of Mother and Child Health Care Programme costing Rs 30 billion.

Sharing his views on the occasion, Ambassador of European Union said that the three-year programme would target such areas where the ratio of tuberculosis disease is alarmingly high. He was of the view that the main responsibility lies with the government, assuring that the European Commission would continue its support to combat the deadly disease.

Ilkka Uusitalo stressed the need on proper utilisation of budgetary allocations. He said that a lot of money had not been properly utilised in the past and government should promptly address the issue.

Country Director of Mercy Corps assured that best efforts would be made to eradicate tuberculosis from Pakistan...

Source: Pakistan Link

 

[karlahaze]

Hello everyone, I have anyone heard about this government grant that every person in the US is getting this summer. Supposedly if you make fewer than 75000 a year you are entitled to 600 dollars or so. They are doing this I heard because the economy is so bad. Does anyone know where I could read about this online? Please let me know your helpful information. Thank you very much.

 

[fatman17]

Finally! something is being done for TB, i know many people in Pakistan who have TB it is a major problem nowadays, it should be take care of soon. I am happy that efforts are being taken, but this needs to be done fast, to save the people who already have TB and suffering from it.

webby-for once i dont share your enthusiasm. we know very well where this grant (money) is going to go - to buy cars / jeeps and other benefits of the bureaucrats with little money trickling down to the needy - the TB patients.