Pakistan Faces Alarming Tuberculosis Surge: 140 Daily Deaths, 1,800 New Cases Reported

Islamabad: Pakistan is facing a worsening public health crisis as tuberculosis (Tuberculosis) continues to spread at an alarming rate, with approximately 140 deaths reported every day, according to a joint report by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health.

Released on World Tuberculosis Day (March 24), the report highlights that Pakistan now ranks as the fifth most affected country globally. Each year, nearly 670,000 new TB cases are recorded nationwide, while annual deaths have reached around 51,000. On a daily basis, more than 1,800 individuals are newly diagnosed with the disease.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that TB is not only a medical issue but also a serious social and economic challenge, disproportionately impacting low-income and malnourished populations. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating the social stigma associated with the disease and promoting early diagnosis through collaboration with civil society and healthcare workers.

Health experts, including WHO’s representative in Pakistan, Dr. Luo Dapeng, stressed that TB is a fully treatable disease and that deaths can be prevented with timely intervention. Authorities have established more than 2,000 public and private treatment centers across the country, where diagnosis and complete treatment are provided free of cost.

Citizens are strongly urged to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms such as persistent cough, weight loss, or fever, as early detection remains the key to controlling the spread of this potentially fatal disease.