Islamabad, April 9 (IANS). Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the deadliest diseases in Pakistan and claims thousands of lives every year. According to reports, more than 1,800 new TB cases are reported daily and around 140 people die every day. This shows that Pakistan’s current efforts are not enough to deal with this disease.
The figures released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on World Tuberculosis Day are like a warning for Pakistan. The scale of this crisis is huge, with more than 669,000 people infected with TB each year and 51,000 deaths.
According to an editorial in Pakistan’s Business Recorder, Pakistan accounts for 73 percent of TB cases in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the fifth highest in the world. This consistently shows that the country has failed to solve this public health challenge.
This year’s theme ‘Yes, we can end TB, through the power of people’ reflects hope and possibility. But, from the ground situation it appears that there is a huge gap between thought and action. When 1,800 new cases are reported daily and about 140 people die every day, it is clear that current efforts are not enough.
According to the statement of WHO Country Representative, one person dies of TB every ten minutes in Pakistan, which shows the need for immediate action. Most importantly, these deaths are preventable, which engenders both anger and accountability.
Severe funding shortfalls, weak health infrastructure and shortage of essential medicines have weakened TB control efforts. These are not new problems, but reflect chronic neglect of the public health sector in Pakistan.
Infectious diseases like TB affect the most vulnerable. To end TB, Pakistan needs political will, more money and a stronger health care system that reaches even the most remote areas. Early detection, availability of medicines and support of patients should be of utmost importance.
Apart from this, campaigns should be run to increase awareness among the people, so that TB patients do not hesitate in treatment.
–IANS
AY/ABM