Pakistan has 5th largest TB caseload in world

Pakistan ranks fifth globally in the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases and fourth for drug-resistant TB, a concerning development particularly affecting children and young women, warned Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

She made these remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of a specialised TB clinic in Baldia Town, Keamari, Karachi, established by the international medical organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Pechuho emphasised that Baldia Town has emerged as a hotspot for TB within Keamari district, with a significant increase in child mortality linked to the disease. "TB is a curable disease if diagnosed early, treated properly, and if patients strictly follow the prescribed antibiotic regimen," she added.

"However, misuse and premature discontinuation of antibiotics have led to the emergence of drug-resistant TB strains, forcing reliance on 'last line' treatments. If resistance to these critical drugs develops, it would pose a grave threat."

Dr Pechuho stressed that TB can affect not only the lungs but also the liver, brain, bones, and other vital organs, particularly in children. She urged the public to avoid panic, seek medical advice from qualified doctors, and complete their full course of treatment to curb the spread of the disease.

Highlighting the broader implications, she noted that drug-resistant TB cases are becoming increasingly common and require urgent collective efforts to control. "The initiative taken by MSF in Baldia Town is commendable. Their mobile medical services are also operational in other parts of Karachi, significantly enhancing healthcare outreach," she added.

MSF Project Coordinator Albina said the newly inaugurated clinic represents more than just a healthcare facility-it marks a collective commitment to improving health services. The clinic's establishment was made possible through collaboration with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Sindh Health Department.