Balochistan Hospitals See Surge in TB Patients in 2025

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Quetta: The number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases witnessed a notable increase reflecting both growing awareness of the disease and expanded healthcare interventions across the province.

Balochistan has made significant strides in combating tuberculosis (TB), with more than 18,000 patients diagnosed and provided treatment during 2025, said Dr. Shair Afgan Raisani, Provincial Manager of the Balochistan TB Control Program. 

He highlighted the role of both public and private sectors in ensuring TB diagnosis and treatment, stating that free testing continues in 250 centers across the province.

In addition, 650 doctors in private hospitals across 20 districts are actively involved in screening and treating TB patients under a collaborative model with the government.

To modernize TB screening, more than 100 advanced FM microscopes and 30 AI-enabled digital X-ray machines have been deployed across the province.

Furthermore, the number of treatment centers for multidrug-resistant TB has increased from three to 11, ensuring patients with the most severe forms of the disease receive specialized care.

Dr. Shair Afgan emphasized the leadership and vision of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar in strengthening the province’s health sector.

He particularly noted the historic and comprehensive health campaign carried out in prisons, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in Balochistan.

The campaign systematically screened prisoners, prison staff, and security personnel in 12 provincial prisons, connecting them to quality diagnostic and treatment services for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. A total of 2,930 individuals were screened in September 2025, including 2,558 prisoners and 371 staff members.

The initiative encompassed TB, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, mental health, nutrition, and lifestyle risk factors. Using AI-powered digital X-ray technology, 2,930 people were screened for TB, with 139 showing suspicious results. Follow-up GeneXpert testing confirmed 11 TB cases, all drug-susceptible, and all patients were immediately linked to treatment.

The screening also identified 8 HIV-positive cases, 61 Hepatitis B cases, and 93 Hepatitis C cases. Notably, hepatitis prevalence among female prisoners was relatively high despite women comprising only 2.6 percent of the prison population, and all were referred for treatment or follow-up.

The NCD screening revealed that 30.9 percent of adult prisoners had high blood pressure, 22.2 percent had elevated blood sugar, and 31 percent were overweight or obese.

Mental health assessments using standard tools (GAD-7, PHQ-9) showed that more than half of the adult male prisoners suffered from anxiety and depression, highlighting the urgent need for sustained mental health support.

Dr. Shair Afgan stressed the importance of regular health screening every six months and the establishment of permanent Prison Health Units. Such measures would ensure continuity of care and integration with community health systems upon prisoner release.

He concluded that this historic and comprehensive campaign reflects the Balochistan government’s commitment to public health.

By addressing both communicable and non-communicable diseases in prisons, the initiative not only improves the well-being of incarcerated populations but also helps reduce the broader disease burden in the province, contributing to a healthier and safer society.