MDR-TB in Pakistan: Challenges, efforts, and recommendations
Mahad Ahmed Khan, Wajeeha Bilal, Hanzla Asim, Zainab Syyeda Rahmat, Mohammad Yasir Essar, Shoaib Ahmad
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), a global health concern is also a leading cause of mortality and morbidity across Pakistan affecting a major proportion of the population. The absence of an integrated system to control the spread of TB has led to a rise in multidrug resistant strains of TB (MDR-Tb) which do not exhibit any sensitivity towards the first line therapy for TB. Such adverse circumstances call for effective planning strategies to mitigate the health hazards of MDR-TB. This article briefly highlights the challenges encountered by the already burdened healthcare system and suggests relatively inexpensive approaches to tackle the ongoing crisis associated with MDR-TB on a national scale.