Health experts urge awareness on World TB Day

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Mar, 2026) On the occasion of World TB Day, the health experts stressed the need for increased public awareness and collective efforts to combat tuberculosis, as no major awareness events were held in the district.

Talking to APP, District Health Authority spokesman, Dr. Waqar said that tuberculosis was a contagious disease that primarily affected the lungs and spread through the air when an infected person coughed, sneezed or spat.

Quoting World Health Organization estimates, he said that more than 10 million people contracted the disease annually worldwide, with hundreds of thousands of deaths reported each year, adding that timely diagnosis and complete treatment could cure the illness.

He said Pakistan was among the countries bearing a high burden of tuberculosis, with a large number of new cases reported every year, making public awareness critically important.

He added that common symptoms of tuberculosis included persistent cough for more than two weeks, fever, weight loss, night sweats and sometimes blood in sputum, urging people to seek immediate medical examination if such symptoms appeared. He said the government was providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities at public hospitals.

Meanwhile, he said that weak immunity, malnutrition, diabetes, smoking and alcohol use increased the risk of the disease, emphasizing the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Adnan Amin, a practicing nephrologist said that tuberculosis was not limited to the lungs and could also affect other organs, including kidneys, leading to serious complications. He warned that delayed diagnosis could impair kidney function.

He said that completing the full course of medication was essential, as incomplete treatment could result in drug-resistant tuberculosis, which was more difficult and lengthy to treat.

Dr Adnan Amin urged the public to consult qualified medical practitioners and avoid self-medication or reliance on home remedies, as delays could lead to further spread of the disease.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Yousaf said that tuberculosis could also affect the brain and nervous system, commonly referred to as neuro TB, which could prove life-threatening. He said symptoms might include persistent headache, confusion and seizures.

He said tuberculosis remained a major global health challenge and required coordinated efforts at all levels to control its spread.

He added that preventive measures included maintaining distance from infected individuals, using masks, observing cough etiquette, consuming a balanced diet and ensuring proper ventilation in living spaces.

Experts said that the BCG vaccine helped protect children against severe forms of tuberculosis, while timely screening and complete treatment were key to eliminating the disease.

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