TB convention held in Sargodha
By: Ms Khadijah Shah (Rays of Development Organization)
SARGODHA, PAKISTAN: A tuberculosis convention was held on Wednesday (today) at 11:00am under the auspices of the Sargodha District Government and the Asia Foundation in Jinnah Hall.
The Executive District Officer (Health) was the chief guest while DO (Health) was guest of honour on the occasion. District Coordinator TB Control Programme, Dr Sikander Hayat Warraich and Asia Foundation district field coordinator Faiz-ur- Rehman also addressed the convention to elaborate the steps being taken by the government and NGOs to combat the communicable disease. Doctors, lawyers, journalists, students, representatives of various NGOs and volunteers have been invited to the convention.
Dr Sikander stated that Sargodha surpasses the list from all over the country in working on the convention of TB.
Shamim Jahangir, the Executive District Officer of Finance and Planning proclaimed to have full domination over the dangerous but curable disease of TB, we are with full devotion and loyalty are trying to spread knowledge and awareness amongst people. We are not only working for the individuals as well as for the society. Our basic aim is to give more preference to the people of the locality than ourselves, trying to root out the evils like poverty, disease and ignorance from the phase of this world. But for this we need the contribution of every individual of the society.
The important members who were present in the convention were EDO Health Dr. S.M Firdoas, EDO Community Development Rana Mohammad Amin, District Officer of Health Dr. Hafiz Ghulam Qadir, and the Divisional Co-coordinator of the TB programme Dr. Riaz Ahmad were present on the occasion.
Dr. S.M Firdoas stated on this occasion that TB is dangerous but 100 percent curable as well. We need to play our full part in the treatment of those family members, friends and neighbors who are suffering from this disease. In the Sargodha District, all the governmental Hospitals as well as 14 non-government hospitals are giving free medicines and treatment to those who are afflicted by this disease. He pressurized the community to totally engage themselves in the 8 month treatment against this disease.
Dr. Sikander Hayat Waraich stated in the constant and sudden increase of this disease in our country is a serious issue which should be sorted out. He took an oath from all the health development workers that they will provide us with their best effort in hurling out TB from our country. In 1993 TB was declared as Global Emergency by WHO. In 2004 the battle of TB programme began in Sargodha District.
Dr. Riaz Ahmad addressed, ‘At this time there are 55 million patients of TB and amongst them are 2.2 million patients from Pakistan. Every year, 3 million are added into this figure in the World. Whereas every year in Pakistan, 0.62 million people are afflicted by this disease. He said that if the steps are not immediately taken then in 2020 one billion people will be the victims of this prompt disease. This disease is spreading even more rapidly than poverty and ignorance.
Faiz-ur-Rehman, the District field Co-coordinator of the Asia Foundation stated that it has become very important to take immediate steps against this disease. The Asia Foundation is playing an important role in this cause.
Four, NGOs Rahbar, Al Baka, Shauur and the Rays of Development Organization (ROD), participated with the Asia Foundation in this gigantic cause.
The Rays of Development Organization prepared an alerting stage drama on TB to promote awareness and devotion in the people to fight against this disease. The audience appreciated a lot the participants of this drama. From ROD, Farooq Bhatti and Azeem Rustam were the in charge of the stage settings. Nadia Aslam and Ms Tahira were there for the make up of the characters. Adil Naseem had the lights arrangement.
The stage drama showed the subsequent story. There was a girl named Rano, who was suffering severely from the dangerous disease of TB. Throughout the drama she was coughing constantly. She was a village girl and his ignorant parents and neighbors took her to the witch doctor but there was no remedy. Then she was taken to the professional doctor and he suggested her appropriate treatment. The performers were the following:
Main role of Rano-----------------------Beeta Yousaf
Father of Rano-------------------------- Imran Mazher
Mother of Rano-------------------------Ghazala Khursheed
Brother of Rano-------------------------Aashir Emmanuel
Fiancée-----------------------------------Shehzad Masih
The witch doctor------------------------Nadeem Samuel
Companions of witch doctor----------Washal and Raja
Neighbors--------------------------------Rosy Dewan and Ashir Laal
Doctor------------------------------------Ferhan Mazher
Nurse-------------------------------------Tehmina
Background Music---------------------Adnan Saeed
Writer------------------------------------Jawad Mazhar
The audience appreciated a lot the participants of this drama. In the end of the drama Ferhan Mazher, the doctor demonstrated the audience about the causes, symptoms, preventions and the significance of the treatment of TB.
At the end of the program every body signed the Commitment to Fight against TB at all levels.
Source:
Mr. Ferhan Mazher
Chairman,
Rays of Development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan.
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