Peshawar: The World Health Organization (WHO) observes World TB Day every year on March 24 to strengthen efforts against tuberculosis (TB). This disease remains a major global health issue, particularly in developing countries, and its impact has worsened due to AIDS.
Awareness Activities in Peshawar
The Pakistan Chest Society organized a walk and awareness symposium at Khyber Teaching Hospital, supervised by Society President Dr. Saadia Ashraf. She emphasized that TB is a contagious but curable disease. While it primarily affects the lungs, it can also impact the brain, joints, abdomen, cervical lymph nodes, skin, and genitourinary organs.
The Chest Department at LRH also conducted an awareness walk. Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Head of the Pulmonary Department, and Assistant Professor Dr. Anila Basit addressed the participants. They explained that TB spreads through spitting and coughing, posing a threat to healthy individuals. The disease mainly affects people between the ages of 14 and 45. WHO has declared TB a medical emergency, leading to the implementation of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) in Pakistan.
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Symptoms and Prevention
Health experts highlighted TB symptoms, including persistent coughing for over two weeks, weight loss, night sweats, loss of appetite, coughing up blood, and exposure to TB patients within households.
Dr. Zulfiqar Mehmood, District TB Control Officer, also led an awareness walk at Molvi G Hospital on GT Road, Peshawar. Medical staff, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses, participated and delivered informative lectures on TB prevention. They stressed the importance of wearing face masks, avoiding public spitting, maintaining a nutritious diet, seeking early diagnosis through sputum tests and chest X-rays, adhering to treatment, and screening close contacts.
Call for Continued Awareness
Medical professionals urged the public to take necessary precautions and seek timely medical intervention. By following preventive measures and treatment protocols, communities can help control the spread of TB and protect public health.
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