956 TB patients getting treatment at PIMS

Islamabad: As many as 956 patients suffering from tuberculosis have been getting treatment at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) of which 60 per cent are females while 40 per cent are males.

All types of diagnostic tests and treatment facilities are being provided free of cost to TB patients reaching PIMS and every patient reaching outpatients department or in emergency is facilitated properly, said Deputy Director at PIMS Dr. Waseem Ahmed Khawaja while talking to ‘The News’ on World TB Day being observed on Sunday around the globe with the theme ‘It’s Time’.

The theme marks that ‘It’s time for a world without TB, to treat 40 million people affected by TB by 2022 and to know your TB status and many more. The most important thing in Pakistan is that we should eliminate stigma attached to the disease, said Dr. Khawaja.

He said the PIMS Executive Director Dr. Amjad Mehmood has directed the hospital staff to accommodate all TB patients free of cost and they should be provided all drugs free of cost even in case of co-morbidities.

He said majority of patients need six-month medication to get rid of TB and patients should feel free while coming to PIMS for TB testing. A separate room has been made only for tuberculosis free drugs delivery in OPD, he said.

He added if a patient needs any emergency treatment or if any complications occur during the treatment, the patient is provided facilities of treatment and tests free of cost at PIMS. It has been found that nearly 30 per cent of TB patients came with different complications including severe chest pain, severe vomiting, difficulty in breathing, bluish lips and nails due to respiratory complications, said Dr. Khawaja.

He said few patients need ventilator support that is provided by the hospital. Complications occur mostly in old age patients and patients suffering from co-morbidities like diabetes, hepatitis, hypertension and added infections including intestinal tuberculosis and tuberculosis of bones.

He said patients can get themselves examined on all working days in OPD from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. while in case of any severe symptoms, patient may come to the PIMS emergency round the clock.