Islamabad: As the world observes World Tuberculosis Day under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) urges governments and international donors to prioritize sustained investments in diagnosing, treating, and preventing tuberculosis (TB)— with a critical focus on children, the most vulnerable population.
Pakistan, ranked fifth among high TB‐burden countries, reports 510,000 new TB cases annually and shoulders 61% of the TB burden in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.25 million children and young adolescents (ages 0–14) fall ill with TB each year, with nearly 600 children dying every day from a preventable, treatable disease. In Pakistan alone, an estimated 81,000 children develop TB each year—often with subtle symptoms that delay diagnosis until the disease has advanced.
In 2024, MSF took focused action by launching the groundbreaking TACTiC initiative—Test, Avoid, Cure TB in Children—to accelerate the adoption of the latest WHO guidelines for pediatric TB management. The program began in Gujranwala, with a targeted household contact screening campaign enrolling 42 children under 15 for early intervention. Building on this success, in March 2025 MSF inaugurated a decentralized model of care at the Baldia Rural Health Centre in Karachi. This facility offers a comprehensive package of pediatric TB services—including on-site screening, advanced diagnostics, tailored treatment regimens and preventive treatment—supported by mobile chest clinics and community outreach efforts to identify high-risk contacts and raise awareness.
However, recent funding cuts by the United States, historically contributing over half of international TB funding, has reduced its support, leaving only 26% of the US$22 billion annual target met. This shortfall jeopardizes essential community-based services that drive active case finding, high-risk family screening, and TB preventive treatment for children. MSF teams in Sindh report that these cuts are undermining services that are critical for active screening of high-risk families and providing preventive treatment.
“For years, we have witnessed the deadly gaps that children face in accessing diagnosis and treatment for TB,” said Dr. Cathy Hewison, Head of MSF’s TB Working Group. “Children at risk are often overlooked or diagnosed too late. Now, with the recent US funding cuts, these gaps will widen further, threatening to roll back years of progress. We urgently call on all countries and international donors to step up and ensure sustained funding for TB care for all—especially young children. No one should die or suffer from this preventable and treatable disease.”
“MSF’s TACTiC initiative is a testament to innovation and dedication,” said Ahmad Wileo, MSF Country Representative for Pakistan. “By breaking the cycle of neglect and stigma through early detection, comprehensive treatment, and community engagement, we are saving lives and inspiring hope for thousands of Pakistani children.”
MSF’s integrated approach—combining cutting-edge diagnostics, tailored treatments, and community-based approaches—reinforces its leadership in paediatric TB care, setting a model for scalable solutions worldwide.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Pakistan since 1986, providing medical care to those affected by conflict, disasters, and disease outbreaks. Current projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, and Sindh provinces provide primary healthcare, maternal and child health, nutrition, and treatment for infectious diseases, including TB.
