The Lahore General Hospital (LGH) has formally launched a free of cost TB screening programme.
Principal Postgraduate Medical Institute (PGMI) Prof. Dr. Sardar Muhammad Al-freed Zafar inaugurated the mobile X-ray unit and laboratory for TB patients. He said that X-ray and sputum tests of TB patients would be conducted at the LGH from 8am to 4pm which will be free while launching a tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment programme will further enhance modern facilities for patients.
The programme has been launched with personal efforts of PGMI Prof. Dr. Sardar M Al-freed Zafar and Head of the Department of Pulmonology Prof. Khalid Waheed.
LGH MS Dr. Abdul Razzaq, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Moin, Dr. Javed Magsi, Dr. Irfan Malik and other doctors were also present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, while talking to media, Principal LGH Prof. Al-freed Zafar said that TB treatment has to be continued for a long time while majority of patients leave the treatment incomplete due to which TB disease become worsened. He said that TB is a contagious disease which is caused by mucus, nasal mucus, coughing and sneezing in the vicinity of the patient. The disease is transmitted to people, so TB patients should be careful not to spit in places and use masks to ensure that other people are protected from the disease, Principal PGMI said. He added that to control TB is also the responsibility of the community for which including the patient’s family be sympathetic to such people and not consider them untouchables. He further stressed that awareness campaign needs to be continued to eradicate TB in the society and in order to save the common people from the symptoms of this disease, treatment and negative propaganda related to the patient should be eliminated. He emphasized that TB is a disease like any other which should not be treated as a social evil and should not discriminate against patients. He said that all Government Hospitals have free TB medicines so patients should not hesitate to talk about this disease and get a medicine and live a healthy life.
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