Rise in tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a curable and preventable disease, yet as many as 611,000 people in Pakistan contracted TB over the past two years while 48,000 HIV-negative and 2,100 HIV-positive people died due to the disease. During a recent seminar organised by Stop TB Pakistan and its partners, officials claimed that the high incidence of TB stems from a poor understanding of the disease and a lack of awareness about available treatment options.
Patients in rural areas are likely to face more challenges as they have little access to healthcare facilities and cannot always afford to travel to urban areas to seek proper assistance. However, the disease prevalence and risks are higher in urban areas due to overpopulation, high rates of HIV and occupational transmission. The absence of domestic funding and a lack of political commitment to form coherent policies have amplified the issue. Globally, several efforts have been taken to improve treatments and end TB. Unfortunately, Pakistan is lagging, and thousands of people continue falling prey to the disease. Failure to curb TB will have a devastating impact on the country’s healthcare system as well as the overall socio-economic conditions. Even after treating the disease, individuals struggle to find work. Families affected by TB are faced with social isolation and discrimination. This can result in high unemployment and lower life satisfaction. Studies in Pakistan reveal that married women with TB are more likely to be divorced and unmarried girls with TB find it difficult or impossible to get married. Social and economic prospects for these women are usually bleak.
Therefore, policymakers need to make a concerted effort to implement strategies to not only curb TB on district and provincial levels but also reduce misconceptions about the disease. TB patients should not face isolation or rejection. The healthcare ministry must utilise the international funds properly by investing in research and treatment methods and awareness campaigns.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 20th, 2023.
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