The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that tuberculosis causes 140 deaths each day in Pakistan, sharing the data on World Tuberculosis Day.

 

The WHO and the government said that tuberculosis is curable,  stressing early diagnosis and treatment, urging people to visit over 2,000 public and private facilities offering free testing and care.

 

According to WHO data, more than 669,000 people are affected by the disease in Pakistan, with 51,000 deaths reported annually. The country accounts for 73 percent of the tuberculosis burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and ranks fifth globally. Officials said over 1,800 new cases are reported daily.

 

Under the theme “Yes, We Can End TB – Led by Countries, Powered by People” authorities called for increased investment to address the disease.

 

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal said, “Despite global and fiscal pressures, the government is fully committed to end TB through coordinated multisectoral actions; sustainable domestic financing; and a patient-centred approach with participation of the communities and all stakeholders”.

 

Officials stated that Pakistan has increased TB notifications and treatment coverage, reaching more than 497,000 people in 2024, compared to 331,800 in 2015.

 

WHO Representative in Pakistan Luo Dapeng said, “In Pakistan, every 10 minutes, one person dies from tuberculosis. These deaths are preventable because tuberculosis is curable. Ending tuberculosis is not just aspirational; it is achievable. WHO will stand with Pakistan and its partners to continue to intensify early detection and treatment for all, no matter where they live or who they are”.

 

The WHO also called for expanded use of new diagnostic tools, including point-of-care tests and tongue swabs, to improve early detection and access to treatment.

 

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) raised concerns over the state of TB control, citing funding gaps and shortages of medicines. PMA Secretary General Abdul Ghafoor Shoro said, “Pakistan continues to hold the unenviable position of being the fifth highest TB-burden country globally, with nearly 686,000 new cases and 49,000 deaths recorded annually. Yet, the government’s commitment to the health sector remains disappointingly low on the list of national priorities”.

 

He added, “It is a mockery of our healthcare system that while we talk of ‘ending the epidemic,’ standard TB medicines are frequently unavailable for adults, and the shortage of pediatric formulations is even more acute. We are failing our children. You cannot fight a bacterial war without ammunition”.

 

Mercy Corps Pakistan said public-private partnerships have strengthened the response. Country Director Arif Jabar Khan said, “Ending TB requires more than medical treatment; it demands community awareness and equity in access to services. While we have made progress through our public and private partnerships, stigma and misinformation continue to delay care-seeking and increase transmission”.

 

Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani said tuberculosis remains a public health challenge and called for coordinated efforts. He stated that the disease is preventable and curable but continues to affect individuals and burden healthcare systems, stressing the need for awareness, early diagnosis and uninterrupted treatment access.