ACD joins hands with provincial TB program to combat rising cases across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Dr. Akmal

ABBOTTABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Mar, 2026) Director of Association for Community Development (ACD) Dr. Kamal Naveed Tuesday emphasized the critical need for early diagnosis and treatment adherence, given that approximately 59,000 individuals are diagnosed with the communicable disease in the province annually.

He expressed these views while talking to the media on the eve of World Tuberculosis Day.

He said Pakistan ranked fifth among nations with the highest burden of tuberculosis, ACD has been actively collaborating with the provincial TB program since 2001 to curb the spread of the airborne infection across eighteen districts.

Speaking about the ongoing efforts, Director Dr. Akmal Naveed highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in reaching remote populations.

Our collaboration with ACD ensures that healthcare providers in major private hospitals and health facilities receive complimentary training, technical support, and all requisite resources, including free TB medications, Dr. Akmal said.

By empowering physicians, paramedics, and laboratory technicians, we are working to close the gap in timely treatment, which remains a major challenge globally, where approximately four thousand patients face significant health challenges daily due to inadequate access to care.

ACD also focuses heavily on community awareness, conducting meetings in remote villages to educate residents about the signs and symptoms of TB. Common symptoms include nocturnal anxiety, night sweats, occasional hemoptysis (coughing up blood), persistent fatigue, diminished appetite, chills, and febrile episodes.

Officials stress that an ongoing cough or the presence of phlegm persisting for more than two weeks, along with chest pain, are indicative of the disease.

Dr. Akmal further noted that community members are also informed about the importance of complementary screening for close contacts of TB patients, along with the provision of free preventive medications.

TB is a treatable condition with an estimated cure rate of up to 100% when detected and managed early, he stated. However, reports from the World Health Organization indicate that TB remains a major cause of mortality globally, which is why awareness campaigns are vital.

Diagnosis of TB is typically confirmed through a sputum test, with medications available at no cost from designated public and private health facilities.

While the active form of the disease pulmonary tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs, it can also impact other parts of the body, including lymph nodes, kidneys, and bones.

Health experts also clarify that latent TB infection may show no symptoms, and individuals with this form cannot transmit the disease to household members or close contacts.

According to WHO data, approximately six million individuals worldwide contract TB each year, with around 670,000 people affected annually in Pakistan.

Officials reiterate that with consistent treatment and awareness, the fight against TB can yield significant results, urging the public to utilize free diagnostic and treatment services available across the province.