A shortage of modern tuberculosis (TB) testing kits has been reported in the country, as the Punjab TB Control Programme acknowledged difficulties following budget cuts by international donors.
Reductions in health sector funding by international donors have led to a scarcity of advanced TB testing kits, with 60 per cent of the country’s TB patients belonging to Punjab.
Speaking to Samaa TV, the Punjab TB Control Programme head said there was a risk that existing machinery could go to waste under the present circumstances, adding that further experimentation on patients was not appropriate.
He added that the Global Fund had reduced its budget, forcing a shift towards diagnosis through microscopy. The programme was facing challenges due to limited funds, though the Punjab government continued to support TB control efforts.
.jpg)
