As a part of its initiative towards preventing tuberculosis (TB) in Pakistan, Mercy Corps, in collaboration with TB Control Programme Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Association for Community Development (ACD), and Greenstar Social Marketing (GSM), organized a one-day seminar titled ‘Advocacy and Awareness Seminar on TB Preventive Treatment (TPT)’. Mercy Corps and its implementing partners with the financial support of The Global Fund are actively implementing a comprehensive TB programme in 120 districts of Pakistan.
Over the years, Mercy Corps has been engaging the private health sector, boosting community awareness, and conducting outreach activities, including remote areas of Pakistan through collaboration with the National TB Control Programme (NTP) and Provincial TB Control Programmes (PTPs), Health Departments, and its implementing partners. The TPT initiative is a pivotal component of Mercy Corps’ strategy aimed at curtailing the spread of TB.
The seminar in Peshawar commenced with a profound sense of purpose and dedication, as attendees gathered to address the pressing issue of TB. The event started with a welcome address and opening remarks by Dr. Muddassar Shahzad, Project Director, Provincial TB Control Programme, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that set the tone for an insightful and impactful day.
“Pakistan ranks 5th among the high burden countries affected by TB, with Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) posing a major challenge, leading to prolonged treatment of affected patients.” said Dr. Muddassar Shahzad. He emphasized the need for using TPT to reduce the burden of TB in the province and in Pakistan.
