Emergence of Tuberculosis in Pakistan; A Clear Problem in Near Future

Abstract

Throughout the world, one death out of ten is due to tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a persisting disease which is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Usually, It acts on the lungs, but it can also be affected the other parts of the body like brain, kidneys, intestines and the spine. In 2016, 10.4 million patients of tuberculosis were reported, of which 1.7 million died. Over 95% of tuberculosis deaths happen in middle and low income countries. 64% of the total tuberculosis has been reported in Pakistan, China, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Philippines and Indonesia countries [1]. The rank of Pakistan with respect to the tuberculosis high-burden is fifth throughout the world. With an estimation, almost 510000 new tuberculosis cases emerging and approximately 15000 developing drug resistant tuberculosis cases in Pakistan in each year. Pakistan is also assessed to have the quarter highest occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis globally [2].