ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has made the elimination of tuberculosis (TB) a key public health priority as the country marked World Tuberculosis Day.

In an official statement by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Sharif outlined a comprehensive strategy focused on early diagnosis, universal access to quality treatment, disease prevention, and improved patient care.

Calling TB "one of the leading infectious diseases" and a "serious health, social and economic challenge" for Pakistan and much of the developing world, he said the government was expanding modern diagnostic facilities, improving laboratory networks and strengthening surveillance systems. The government is also planning to integrate TB services into primary healthcare centers to ensure uninterrupted treatment nationwide.

“Today, on World Tuberculosis Day, Pakistan, together with the international community, reaffirms its commitment to completely eliminate the treatable and preventable disease of tuberculosis,” he said.

PM Sharif stated that the disease disproportionately affects marginalized communities and is closely linked to poverty, malnutrition, and inequality.

He said the World Tuberculosis Day serves to raise public awareness about the disease and to intensify efforts to eliminate it.

The prime minister stated that public participation was essential. Community health workers, civil society organizations, researchers, and private healthcare providers played a key role in tackling stigma, promoting early diagnosis, and ensuring treatment continuity.

He mentioned that international cooperation, technical partnerships, and sustained global funding was also critical to achieving complete elimination of the disease.

PM Sharif called on federal and provincial governments, development partners, academia, the private sector, media, and community leaders to strengthen coordinated efforts to ensure that no TB patient was left untreated.

Articles tagged with "World Tuberculosis Day"

Pakistan ramps up fight against tuberculosis with new national strategy