Pakistan renews call for urgent action on World Tuberculosis Day

ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 (APP): Marking World Tuberculosis Day 2026 on Tuesday, Pakistan urged immediate, coordinated and sustained efforts to eliminate tuberculosis, as the country continues to face one of the world’s highest disease burdens despite global commitments and ongoing interventions.

Tuberculosis (TB), a preventable and curable infectious disease, remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent globally. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 10.7 million people

fell ill with TB in 2024, while 1.23 million deaths were recorded worldwide.

The disease spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. While it primarily affects the lungs, TB can also damage other organs, including the brain, kidneys and spine. Men account for

54 per cent of global TB cases, women 35pc and children 11pc, with experts warning that childhood TB remains largely under-addressed.

Pakistan continues to bear a significant share of the global burden, with approximately 670,000 new cases reported annually, representing around 6.3pc of total cases worldwide. Despite commitments made at international forums, including United Nations high-level meetings, progress in high-burden countries has remained slow.

Officials highlighted that Pakistan’s response has been strengthened through public-private partnerships. Mercy Corps Pakistan, in collaboration with the National TB Control Program and provincial programmes, and with support from the Global Fund, has expanded access to TB services, particularly in underserved communities, through Public Private Mix models.

Speaking on the occasion, Arif Jabar Khan said eliminating TB required more than clinical interventions.

“Ending TB demands community awareness and equitable access to services. While progress has been made through partnerships, stigma and misinformation continue to delay care-seeking and increase transmission,” he said, stressing the need for stronger community engagement, preventive treatment and uninterrupted healthcare services.

He added that the National TB Control Programme and provincial initiatives were playing a commendable role and expressed optimism about achieving national targets under their leadership.

Heads of partner organisations, including Dr. Akmal Naved, Dr. Muhammad Amir Khan, Dr. Syed Sharaf Ali Shah, Dr. M. Khalid Farough, Mervyn Lobo and Arifa Mazhar, underscored the importance of community-level action.

In a joint statement, they noted that TB was not only a health issue but also a social challenge linked to poverty, stigma and lack of awareness. They warned that delayed treatment due to fear and misconceptions was contributing to higher transmission and poorer health outcomes.

They called for bringing services closer to communities, promoting patient-centred care and strengthening awareness to ensure early diagnosis and successful treatment.

Stakeholders reiterated that eliminating TB was both a public health and development priority, requiring increased funding, stronger prevention strategies and a multi-sectoral approach involving government institutions, development partners and local communities.

Health experts emphasised that Pakistan could eliminate TB through sustained political commitment, increased domestic investment and stronger health systems. Expanding preventive treatment, ensuring uninterrupted medicine supply, boosting local pharmaceutical production and prioritising public awareness were identified as key steps.

As the country joined the global community in observing World Tuberculosis Day, stakeholders maintained that ending TB was achievable but only through collective action, sustained commitment and strengthened partnerships.