Wrestle TB with the support of Gigantic bludgeon of Awareness

Written by: Khadijah Shah (Rays of Development Organization)


On 19th June, at 12:00pm to 01:30pm, a program was held by the collaboration of the Asia Foundation Pakistan and Rays of Development Organization, at Christian Girls High School, Block # 16, Khushab Road, Sargodha. The lectures précised in the function were associated to the resistance aligned with Tuberculosis. The function was in accordance with the time table of the students. From the brilliant approaching generation forty nine (49) students, teacher Nazia Sardar and Miss Khayaal Ara, the Principal, showed significance with their attendance in the function. Both the NGOs were endowed with freedom to bestow lectures and to direct students by means of liberty, about these deceitful diseases.


These NGOs have combined and taken the responsibility on their shoulders to guide students of Private schools and colleges, to lead a hale and hearty life as it is supposed that HEALTH IS WEALTH.


Nadeem Samuel and Imran Mazher from The Rays of Development Organization and Mohammad Asif and Miss Sana Javed, the community activists, and Faiz-ur-Rehman, the Field Coordinator, from the Asia Foundation Pakistan, showed their crucial conglomerate in the function.


Lines printed on slogans were justified and conferred by both NGOs. First slogan marked that Tuberculosis is curable. Faiz-ur-Rehman, the Field Coordinator, from the Asia Foundation Pakistan, countered several questions, for making the conceptions of the students obvious.
The questions were as following:
1. What is Tuberculosis?
Ans: It is the disease of lungs but on certain conditions it can also impinge on the assisting organs of the body.
2. Can Tuberculosis spread its viruses?
Ans: Yes, it can spread its bacteria when an infected patient spits, coughs or sneezes.
3. What are the symptoms of Tuberculosis?
Ans: Cough prolongs three weeks or even more that that, blood comes in the spit, normally the patient suffers from temperature and the weight decreases.
4. Where can be Tuberculosis diagnosed?
Ans: It can be diagnosed from a nearby Hospital, Health and Tuberculosis Center. To diagnose the disease the spit test is taken.
5. How can it be cured?
Ans: There is no need to get worried because National Tuberculosis Control program is started and World Health Organization has started a program named DOTS (directly observed therapy short course), due to which the patient should without any delay refer to these programs and they will provide him with a special tablets which he has to take for 8 months on a regular basis.
6. Where can is this medicine available?
Ans: This medicine is available at almost every medical store or hospital and in the Government hospitals, it is provided without any financial restriction.

Mohammad Asif shared his understanding strikingly, with the undergraduates. He told the students about the important steps that are to be taken.
1. The patient should not give unnecessary gaps in taking the medicine and the medicine should be taken with the proper management of time.
2. A responsible man should become his caretaker or guardian.
3. The members of his family should not neglect him or send him somewhere else for the treatment. They should have a friendly and caring attitude towards him to bring some hope in his life.
4. Breast Feeding is harmless even when a woman is afflicted by this disease.
5. The Disease of Tuberculosis is curable and for the best result one has to take the medicine for (8) months and he has to be punctual in doing so without any delay. He should also consult a specialist for a regular check up to show the progress in his reports. Without the doctor's suggestion he should not discontinue the medicine.
Nadeem Samuel added persuasively that the man who is suffering of this disease should make the proper use of handkerchief while coughing, sneezing and spitting; as it can be effective in the open environment and can become the cause of annoyance in the lives of others.

A skit was also played by Miss Sana Javed, a social activist, and Asia Patras, a student of 10th class. In the performance, Miss Sana Javed played the part of a patient, suffering from Tuberculosis. Asia Patrass played the role of a well-informed member of society, who convinced the patient to stop entirely depending upon the spiritual cures and prayers and be realistic towards life. There should be faith and hope present in heart while going to the hospital.

When the play was over, the students were asked that 'what have they learnt from this event?'
Suneeta Rubab, the student of 10th standard, replied notably that one should be vigilant and rapid while fighting against such diseases. Though death is fatal but we all have the right to lead a healthy life and we should take benefits of the modern technologies. Ignoring them will be like turning away our face from the blessings of God.
At the end of the function the packets of juices were disseminated between the students, by Miss Sana Javed and Imran Mazher. Miss Khayaal Ara, the Principal thanked both organizations for providing the youth with wisdom and for inculcating in their minds the awareness due to which they can lead a happy and healthy life in the society.
Faiz-ur-Rehman, the Field Coordinator, thanked Miss Khayaal Ara for bequeathing them with a chance to interrelate with the students directly and provide them with the alertness of the bitter realities (diseases) of life, but when faced with courage and determination, then they become no less then the rotting buildings which can fall at anytime.


Report Recommended by:
Ferhan Mazher
Chairman
(Rays of Development Organization).