Category: News

It is with immense pleasure to inform that Dr. Razia Kaniz Fatima has taken the charge of National Coordinator, Strengthening Common Management Unit (CMU) for TB, HIV/AIDS and Malaria under Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), Government of Pakistan. 

Dr. Razia having diverse experience in the field of public health including 20 years’ experience at national level and worked on important positions since March, 2008 including Chief Research & Surveillance, Advisor TB. She is a Medical Doctor and obtained her PhD in Public Health from the University of Bergen Norway in (2015), MSc Epidemiology from LSHTM UK (2008) and Master’s in Public Health (2009).

She represented Pakistan at various international forums, and elected as Chair of the TB Section for International Union against TB and Lung Disease and Ethics Advisory group member. She has published 65 research papers on public health in international peer reviewed journals.

She led the GF TB Grant Cycle 7 process with a challenge to submit in window-1 and successfully secured 185 million US dollars for TB grant through team work.

The team of Common Management Unit extends its heartiest congratulations to Dr Razia Fatima and wishes her best of luck for her tenure.

Dr. Qasim Abbas, Deputy National Coordinator (DNC) for HIV/AIDS, Dr. Saima Paracha, Advisor for HIV/AIDS , Dr. Hammad Habib, Malaria Advisor, from Common Management Unit, Ministry of Health Pakistan and Dr. Rajwal Khan, Strategic Information Advisor from UNAIDS Pakistan, paid a visit to Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi ART Center. The objective of the visit was to over see the working of staff, data authenticity, challenges and issues in service delivery system for HIV patients. During visit information was sought from the ART Incharge and DEO. The team of CMU was accompanied by Mr. Zubair Memon, M&E Officer, CDC HIV/AIDS Sindh, Dr Sassui Wadho, Provincial Coordinator, Sehat Sahulat Program and Dr. Ghous Malik, Operational Manager (Sindh), Nai Zindagi, Pakistan. Dr. Sameera Haider briefed aboutr the Centre functioning and issues of (MIS). The visiting team appreciated working of the dedicated ART staff. However, the team assured that MIS issues will be resolved soon through expert team of MIS on National level.

The team also met with officials from the Malaria program.

National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination hosted the “ Friends of Pakistan Forum”, during the World Conference On Lung Health 2023, held in Paris. The forum was Chaired by Mr. Iftikhar Sahllwani, the Secretary MNHSR&C with the attendance from representatives of World Health Organization, Dr Muddasir Shehzad (Project Director TB Control Program Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Stop TB Partnership, USAID, Bill and MIllanda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund, Stop TB Pakistan, Dopasi Foundation and Bridge Consultants.

Dr. Abdul Wali Khan, the Manager National TB Program, in his presentation eluded on the progress in fight against TB and the way forward. Partners applauded the efforts of the ministry in keeping the momentum during and after COVID-19. Finding missing TB cases during COVID-19 was difficult task, however the accelerated recovery and catch up plan, prepared with the support of partners helped in meeting the targets.

Secretary thanked the participants and highlighted the key strategic interventions in place, which will help in finding the missing TB cases. He reiterated the commitment of Government of Pakistan made during the United Nation’s High Level TB Meeting on side line of the United Nation’s general Assembly, held in New York. He acknowledged the contribution of Civil Society, the local NGOs , technical and development partners in fight against TB. He also acknowledged the commitment of the provincial government, who have sustained the momentum by prioritising End TB as one of the top programs.

DHIS2 TB Tracker (case based) Roll out training in Azad Kashmir & distribution of laptops to the health facility staff. Director Health Services & Director CDC AJK were present at this occasion

Training of DHIS2 TB Tracker (case based) in KPK province & distribution of laptop to the representatives of TB facilities.

National Consultation Workshop was conducted in Islamabad on 4th November 2023.

Training on DHIS2 platform, organized by HISP& CMU for provincial / regional stakeholders from AIDS, TB & Malaria Control Programs at Islamabad. Dr. Abdul Wali Khan, DNC TB graced the occasion.

Two Day Training on Digital App & DHIS2 Case Based for MCG Project to register Afghan Refugees TB Patients & tablet. Dr. Abdul Wali Khan, Deputy National Coordinator TB graced the occasion.

The kickoff meeting for World AIDs Day 2023 was conducted and chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr Nadeem Jan in the MoHSRC on the 23rd of October 2023.

Training of DHIS2 TB Tracker (case base) in Balouchistan province & distribution of laptop to the representatives of TB facilities.