ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranks fifth in the world for tuberculosis (TB) cases and fourth for drug-resistant TB, a growing concern that disproportionately impacts children and young women, according to Sindh Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. Speaking at the inauguration of a specialized TB clinic in Baldia Town, Karachi, on Wednesday, Dr. Pechuho emphasized that the area has become a hotspot for TB within Keamari district, with a troubling rise in child mortality linked to the disease.
“TB is curable if diagnosed early and treated properly with the full course of antibiotics,” she explained. “However, misuse and premature discontinuation of antibiotics have led to drug-resistant strains, which now require more complex treatments. If resistance to these critical drugs develops, it poses a serious threat.”
Dr. Pechuho also highlighted that TB affects various vital organs beyond the lungs, including the liver, brain, and bones, particularly in children. She urged the public to seek medical advice and adhere to prescribed treatments to prevent the spread of the disease.
Addressing the rise of drug-resistant TB, Dr. Pechuho called for urgent collective action to control its spread. She praised the initiative by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Baldia Town, which has established the clinic in partnership with the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Sindh Health Department. MSF’s mobile medical services are also operational in other parts of Karachi, improving healthcare outreach.
MSF Project Coordinator Albina described the clinic as a symbol of commitment to better health services, underscoring its significance in tackling the growing TB crisis.
