The Federal Government TB Hospital in Pindi has witnessed a concerning surge in tuberculosis (TB) patients, with 200 individuals seeking treatment daily.
In response to this trend, awareness campaigns and free testing and treatment services have been expanded. The increase in cases includes both pulmonary TB, affecting the lungs, and extra-pulmonary TB, which can manifest as bone and joint issues.
Dr. Imtiaz Ali Memon, the Medical Superintendent of the TB Hospital, noted a rapid rise in pulmonary TB cases, attributing it to factors like smoking and lowered immunity. He emphasized the curability of TB if diagnosed early and treated correctly, highlighting the WHO’s recommended six-month treatment course with a 95% recovery rate. The TB Hospital has achieved an 85% recovery rate among its patients.
Recent reports from the National Institute of Health indicate a troubling trend, with 20,000 new TB cases reported weekly in Punjab and Sindh over the past month. To address this, preventive measures must be prioritized, including public awareness campaigns.
The National TB Control Programme reports a yearly detection of 625,000 TB cases, with 200,000 cases going undiagnosed. Preventive measures such as mask-wearing and discouraging public spitting are crucial to curb transmission.
Dr. Memon highlighted the importance of WHO’s renovation project at the TB Hospital, aiming to create a hygienic environment. Family members of TB patients are also tested, and diagnosed patients are registered for phased medication supply.
Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains a major global health threat, with Pakistan ranking fourth in multidrug-resistant TB cases, reporting an estimated 27,000 new cases annually.
