World TB Day marked: Punjab CM pledges to step up efforts to deal with TB burden

LAHORE: World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was marked on Tuesday with a renewed pledge to continue stronger efforts and sustained global cooperation to tackle the burden of TB which remains one of the most pressing public health challenges. Pakistan remains among the countries most affected by tuberculosis globally, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) ranking it among the top five high-burden nations. Recent estimates suggest that around 670, 000 people develop TB in Pakistan each year, accounting for approximately 6. 3 per cent of the global disease burden. Health officials say the scale of the challenge is compounded by gaps in detection and treatment, with thousands of cases going undiagnosed each year. Despite progress, Pakistan continues to face significant hurdles in controlling the spread of the disease, particularly in underserved and vulnerable populations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message on World TB Day said Pakistan stood with the international community in its resolve to eradicate tuberculosis, a preventable and treatable disease that continues to pose serious health, social and economic challenges, particularly in developing countries. “Today, on World Tuberculosis Day, Pakistan, together with the international community, reaffirms its commitment to completely eliminate the treatable and preventable disease of tuberculosis, ” he said, adding: “Even in the present era, TB remains one of the leading infectious diseases and remains a serious health, social and economic challenge for many countries, including Pakistan. ” The PM appealed to all relevant stakeholders, the federal and provincial governments, development partners, universities, the private sector, media, and social leaders to further strengthen collective efforts to ensure that no person with TB was left untreated. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her message said that free medicines are being delivered to tuberculosis (TB) patients at their doorsteps across the province as part of efforts to eliminate the disease. The chief minister reaffirms her commitment to continuing the fight against TB, stating that eliminating the disease is essential for a healthy Punjab. She emphasises that timely diagnosis and effective treatment can save lives and calls for greater public awareness about TB. She says the provincial government is providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities, including medicines and PCR tests, at public hospitals. Under the DOTS strategy, complete treatment is being ensured free of cost at district and tehsil hospitals, while lady health workers are also engaged in active case finding at the household level. Maryam Nawaz says programmes are underway to deliver free medicines at home for patients suffering from TB, hepatitis and heart diseases. She adds that public participation remains crucial in achieving the goal of eliminating TB. The chief minister says special drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) centres are being established in the province for patients who do not respond to standard treatment. She notes that community health workers, civil society organisations, researchers and private healthcare institutions are playing a supportive role in ensuring timely diagnosis and continuity of treatment. She reiterates that the Punjab government has prioritised the eradication of TB as part of its broader public health agenda. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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