Complete elimination of TB includes in govt priorities: Shehbaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that tuberclosis (TB) is a curable disease; but for that purpose, use of medicines, good food and healthy environment are required.

If TB were not timely diagnosed and got treated, then it could prove dangerous for health, he added.

The chief minister, in his message on World TB Day issued here Friday, said the purpose of celebrating the day was to raise public awareness about treatment and safety from this disease.

He said complete elimination of TB, along with best facilities of treatment, was included in governmental priorities.

The TB patients were provided free facilities including diagnostic, treatment and medicines in government hospitals so that they could be fully cured.

Shehbaz said vaccination was necessary for remaining safe from this contagious disease. Health experts should adopt effective steps to overcome this disease.

He said patients had been provided free facilities in all the public sector hospitals of the province.

The chief minister said members of civil society, as well as the health professionals, should adopt a consensus strategy against TB because the objective of making the country stronger could not be achieved without ensuring a healthy society.

"Today, we should reiterate this commitment that all the resources will be utilized to control the infectious diseases and to improve the quality of life of the people," he said.