ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranks sixth globally among the 22 high tuberculosis risk countries, contributing 43 per cent of the disease towards the Eastern-Mediterranean region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to available data, the incidence of TB per 100,000 population in Pakistan is 181, case notification per 100,000 per year is 150 while the treatment success rate is 85 per cent.

Official sources said more than 700,000 TB patients have been treated free of charge and 100 per cent latest treatment methodology of DOTS coverage is achieved in the country.

They said training and health education materials have been developed and all health care providers concerned have been trained.

They said external quality assurance for sputum microscopy is implemented in 40 districts of the country while five reference laboratories have been established, one at federal level and one each at the provincial level.

They said an estimated one-third of the world's population is currently infected with TB. The World Health Organization is working on its plan to cut TB prevalence rates and deaths by half by 2015, they added.