The National TB Control Programme is set to establish some 27 centers across Gilgit-Baltistan to further strengthen the network of already established 22 centers. Programme Manager Dr Mubin told media on Saturday that these centers would be well co-ordinated and linked with each other to cover the entire area and facilitate public.

He said laboratories are also included in these centers, which would be equipped with latest technology so as to have an exact and authentic examination. He said the registration and proper record of infected patients is must for which work is being done. He said the medicine being provided is totally free of cost while patients are also treated without any fee of laboratory or examination. The programme manager said the number of patients is increasing and immediate steps were needed to control it. He said more than 3,000 patients were registered and treated last year.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2012