Islamabad: In a decisive move to combat Tuberculosis (TB), Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, First Lady of Pakistan, has pledged to lead both national and international efforts to address the TB crisis. The announcement came during a high-profile meeting with the Dopasi Foundation and key parliamentarians, focusing on innovative strategies to enhance TB care, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, the meeting in Islamabad was attended by influential figures from the Dopasi Foundation and parliamentarians committed to fighting TB. The discussions revolved around reflecting on the progress since the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB and advancing new methods to improve TB notification and treatment protocols.

During her speech, Ms. Bhutto Zardari committed to being a vocal advocate for TB issues, emphasizing the disease as not only a health crisis but a challenge to dignity and justice. She highlighted the collaborative efforts needed to overcome this preventable disease, ensuring no one is left behind.

The First Lady has also accepted the role of chair for the upcoming TB Survivors Event and will participate in the Regional Leaders’ Summit 2024 on TB and Climate Change. Her advocacy is expected to propel significant policy actions and foster a unified approach to TB eradication across different provinces.

The meeting underscored the critical role of the End TB Parliamentary Caucus, which encourages cross-provincial efforts and aims to bolster TB control initiatives spearheaded by the Dopasi Foundation. The Foundation, a pivotal entity in TB control, works closely with the Ministry of Health and international bodies to meet Pakistan’s health targets related to TB, focusing on marginalized groups.