LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said free medicines are being delivered to tuberculosis (TB) patients at their doorsteps across the province as part of efforts to eliminate the disease.
In her message on the World TB Day, she reaffirmed her commitment to continuing the fight against TB, stating that eliminating the disease is essential for a healthy Punjab. She emphasised that timely diagnosis and effective treatment can save lives and called for greater public awareness about TB. The provincial government is providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities, including medicines and PCR tests, at public hospitals. Under the DOTS strategy, complete treatment is being ensured free of cost at district and tehsil hospitals, while lady health workers are also engaged in active case finding at the household level.
Maryam said programmes are underway to deliver free medicines at home for patients suffering from TB, hepatitis and heart diseases. Public participation remains crucial in achieving the goal of eliminating TB. The chief minister said special drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) centres are being established in the province for patients who do not respond to standard treatment. She noted that community health workers, civil society organisations, researchers and private healthcare institutions are playing a supportive role in ensuring timely diagnosis and continuity of treatment.
She reiterated that the Punjab government has prioritised the eradication of TB as part of its broader public health agenda.
