Kathmandu — Around 42 percent of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Nepal are reportedly outside the formal treatment system, according to Dr. Bhuvan Paudel, Director of the National Tuberculosis Control Center. He made the statement while observing World TB Day on Tuesday.
Dr. Paudel noted that approximately 67,000 new TB cases are identified in Nepal every year, but a significant portion of these patients remain untreated. Bringing these untreated patients under proper care remains a major challenge.
In the fiscal year 2081/082, 39,151 drug-sensitive TB patients were registered in Nepal. Of these, 61 percent were male, 39 percent female, and 5.6 percent were children under 15 years of age. Among those receiving treatment, 72 percent had pulmonary TB, while 28 percent had TB affecting other organs. Additionally, 625 patients were reported with drug-resistant TB.
The Director highlighted treatment success rates of 92 percent for drug-sensitive TB and 76 percent for drug-resistant TB. He also pointed out that TB imposes a significant economic burden on 51 percent of patients and their families, and social stigma and discrimination remain prevalent in communities.
Annually, around 16,000 people die of TB in Nepal, translating to a mortality rate of 53 per 100,000 population. Dr. Paudel emphasized that adherence to regular medication can cure 92 percent of TB cases. “We tested 100 patients who completed six months of regular treatment, and 92 percent were successfully treated,” he said, urging patients to seek timely and consistent care.
The Nepalese government has set a long-term goal to eliminate TB by 2050, aiming to reduce the incidence to one case per one million people. By 2035, the target is to reduce the infection rate to fewer than 10 cases per 100,000 population.
World TB Day was observed under the slogan, “Yes, We End TB. National Campaign, Our Contribution,” highlighting the national commitment to fighting tuberculosis.