NewKerala.com

TB Crisis in Balochistan: Why Prison Cases Reveal a Deeper Health Emergency

Tuberculosis cases are rising sharply in Pakistan's Balochistan province, with estimates between 16,000 and 18,000 this year. A coordinated health screening program is now targeting prisons, which are a significant hotspot for the disease. This health crisis unfolds alongside a major scandal, as an audit has uncovered massive financial irregularities within the provincial Health Department. Officials are facing intense criticism for failing to act on orders to address missing medical supplies and illegal purchases.

Key Points: TB Cases Surge in Balochistan Prisons Amid Health Dept Scandal

  • Health screening of 3,000 inmates in 12 prisons reveals TB's alarming spread
  • Audit finds illegal medicine purchases worth over PKR 30 million
  • Committee slams health department for inaction over eight-month-old orders
  • Missing drugs and overpriced oxygen cylinders caused millions in losses
2 min read

Tuberculosis cases witness significant rise in Pakistan's Balochistan

Over 16,000 TB cases reported in Balochistan this year, with prisons a hotspot, as a health department audit uncovers major financial irregularities.

"Eight months have passed since the PAC issued directives, yet there has been no result. - PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen"

Quetta, Dec 10

Tuberculosis (TB) cases continue to rise in Balochistan, particularly in its prisons, with 16, 000 to 18, 000 cases being reported in the province so far this year, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Provincial Manager of the TB Control Programme, Balo­c­histan, Sher Afghan Raisani, shared the information while addressing a press conference. He said that tests of communicable and non-communicable diseases were carried out among 3,000 prisoners in 12 prisons of Balochistan, Pakistan's leading daily, Dawn, reported.

He said that 16,000 to 18,000 TB cases were reported in Balochistan in 2025. He said that the Department of Health of Balochistan, TB Control Pro­gramme, Department of Prisons, and DoPasi Foundation have initiated a coordinated health screening programme in 12 prisons of Balochistan.

Earlier in November, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Balochistan Assembly slammed the provincial Health Department over its continuous failure to act on orders about major financial irregularities, illegal purchase and missing medical supplies at Sandeman Provincial Hospital in Pakistan's Quetta.

The committee, presided over by PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen, reviewed a special audit of Sandeman Provincial Hospital and several audit paras about the Health Department, Dawn reported.

Key findings included the illegal purchase of medicines valued at Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 30.02 million, missing drugs worth PKR 22.83 million and overpriced oxygen cylinders that caused a loss of PKR 1.34 million.

The audit revealed that the officials' records did not include stock registers and inspection reports. The Health Department stated that the company Health Tech Quetta was an authorised distributor of Frontier Dactrol Ltd, Peshawar and managed supply and payment. However, the committee found their reasoning unsatisfactory.

The PAC chairman said, "Eight months have passed since the PAC issued directives, yet there has been no result." Tareen stated, "The responsible officers must be identified, and if directives are ignored, an FIR should be filed and a report submitted to the committee."

Noorzai stressed that violations of the Balochistan Public Procurement Rules had taken place and expressed displeasure that no progress had been made despite an eight-month lapse. The committee ordered a comparative analysis between the prices of the concerned companies, warning of strict action if there were discrepancies.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While the situation in Balochistan is tragic, it's a stark reminder for us in India to not be complacent. Our TB elimination program needs constant vigilance and funding. Corruption in health departments is a disease that affects all of South Asia. We must protect our systems.
A
Aman W
The coordinated screening program with NGOs is a good step forward. Health crises don't respect borders. As a neighbour, I genuinely hope they can control this outbreak. TB spreading in crowded prisons is a recipe for disaster for the wider population too. Wishing them strength.
S
Sarah B
The numbers are staggering. 16,000-18,000 cases in one province? And the audit findings show where the money is going—or rather, not going. It's the poor and imprisoned who suffer most. This level of mismanagement is criminal.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, the article highlights a common problem: great initiatives announced (like the TB Control Programme) but execution ruined by corruption on the ground. The PAC chairman saying "8 months have passed... yet no result" says it all. Talk is cheap, action is needed. Hope the FIRs are actually filed.
N
Nisha Z
So much money lost in illegal purchases and missing supplies 😔. That money could have vaccinated or treated thousands. The prisoners are already in a vulnerable state. This is a humanitarian issue first and foremost. Wishing good health to all those affected.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50