Media Sensitization Session Highlights Responsible TB Reporting in Karachi

By: Aziz Khatri 

 Karachi: Bridge Consultants Foundation (BCF), in collaboration with Health Matters Media, organized a media sensitization session on responsible reporting of Drug-Sensitive (DS) and Drug-Resistant (DR) tuberculosis at Hotel Mehran. The event was held under the CFCS 2025 Project, supported by Stop TB Partnership through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The session brought together journalists from print, electronic, and digital media to strengthen evidence-based, ethical reporting on tuberculosis in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Syed Sharaf Ali Shah, Executive Director of BCF, highlighted Pakistan’s persistent TB burden and stressed the need for coordinated, multi-sectoral action to achieve national and global End TB targets.

Dr. Samreen Quraishi, Additional Director of Communicable Disease Control Sindh, emphasized improving case detection, treatment adherence, and countering misinformation. Senior public health expert Professor Rafiq Khanani underscored the importance of stigma-free, rights-based communication that protects the dignity of TB-affected individuals.

Akhtar Shaheen Rind, senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Health Matters Media, highlighted the media’s critical role in shaping public perception, influencing policy dialogue, and promoting accountability. He urged journalists to adopt people-centered language, avoid sensationalism, and maintain confidentiality in TB reporting.

Waheed Khattak, Program Manager BCF, briefed participants on community engagement efforts and the importance of collaborative action to address barriers in TB diagnosis and treatment.

A key highlight of the session was the launch of a Media Toolkit on Responsible Reporting of DS/DR-TB, authored by Akhtar Shaheen Rind and Waheed Khattak. The toolkit provides guidance on accurate terminology, ethical reporting standards, gender-sensitive approaches, and human rights considerations.

Participants were also introduced to OneImpact, a digital platform supporting community-led monitoring that enables TB-affected individuals to report challenges in accessing diagnostic and treatment services, promoting transparency and accountability in healthcare delivery.

Organizers reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration between public health stakeholders and the media to promote accurate information, reduce stigma, and support Pakistan’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis.