LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced that free medicines are being delivered to tuberculosis (TB) patients at their doorsteps across the province as part of intensified efforts to eliminate the disease. In her message on World TB Day, the chief minister reaffirmed her government’s commitment to eradicating TB, stressing that a disease-free Punjab is essential for a healthy and productive society. She highlighted that timely diagnosis and effective treatment can save lives and called for increased public awareness about the disease.
Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government is providing free diagnostic and treatment facilities at public hospitals, including medicines and PCR tests. Under the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course) strategy, complete treatment is being ensured free of cost at district and tehsil headquarters hospitals, while lady health workers are actively engaged in household-level case detection. She further stated that special programmes have been launched to deliver free medicines at home not only for TB patients but also for those suffering from hepatitis and heart diseases, aiming to improve access to essential healthcare services. The chief minister also announced the establishment of specialised drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) centres across Punjab to treat patients who do not respond to standard therapies. She noted that community health workers, civil society organisations, researchers, and private healthcare institutions are playing a vital role in supporting early diagnosis and ensuring continuity of treatment. Emphasising the importance of collective efforts, Maryam Nawaz said public cooperation remains key to achieving the goal of a TB-free Punjab. She reiterated that the eradication of TB remains a top priority under the government’s broader public health agenda.
