Kathmandu, March 24: Around 42 percent of tuberculosis (TB) patients in Nepal remain outside the treatment system, posing a major public health challenge, officials said on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day.
According to Dr Bhuvan Paudel, Director of the National Tuberculosis Control Center, an estimated 67,000 new TB cases are detected annually in Nepal, but a significant portion of patients are still not receiving treatment.
In the fiscal year 2024/25, a total of 39,151 drug-sensitive TB cases were identified. Among them, 61 percent were पुरुष (male), 39 percent female, and 5.6 percent were children under 15. Of those under treatment, 72 percent had pulmonary TB, while 28 percent had extra-pulmonary TB. Additionally, 625 cases of drug-resistant TB were reported.
Treatment success rates stand at 92 percent for drug-sensitive TB and 76 percent for drug-resistant TB, Dr. Paudel said. However, he noted that 51 percent of patients and their families face financial burdens, while stigma and social discrimination remain persistent challenges.
Nepal records around 16,000 TB-related deaths annually, with a mortality rate of 53 per 100,000 population.
Dr. Paudel emphasized that TB is curable in most cases, stating that “92 percent of patients who complete a six-month regular medication course recover successfully.”
The government has set a target to eliminate TB by 2050, aiming to reduce cases to one per million population, with an interim goal of lowering infection rates to fewer than 10 per 100,000 by 2035.
This year, the day is being observed under the slogan: “Yes! We can end TB – Our contribution to the national campaign.” #nepal #TB
18 die of tuberculosis in Bajura over five years
A total of 18 people have died from tuberculosis (TB) in Bajura District over the past five years, according to data released by the Health Office Bajura on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, reports RSS Nepal.
Public Health Officer and Information Officer Kumar Nyaupane said the deaths were recorded as follows: one in FY 2020/21, three in 2021/22, two in 2022/23, six in 2023/24, four in 2024/25, and two more until mid-February of the current fiscal year (2025/26).
According to the data, 141 TB cases were identified in the district in FY 2024/25, while 81 patients are currently undergoing regular treatment.
Among the nine local levels in the district, Badimalika Municipality has the highest TB prevalence rate, with 219 cases per 100,000 population, the report stated.
Health officials have emphasized the need to strengthen early detection and ensure regular treatment to reduce TB-related deaths in the district.
