Health Minister Mohammed Nasim yesterday said eradication of tuberculosis (TB) was one of Bangladesh’s priority health campaigns because of its high impact on social life and national economy, reports BSS from New Delhi. “We understand by reaching End TB targets we can save many precious lives (as) this killer disease have high social impact . . . so we are eager to work jointly with WHO and partners,” he told the concluding session of a two-day conference of South East Asian health ministers at the Indian capital here.
Nasim said as part of the campaign Bangladesh framed the National Strategic Plan for TB  Control for 2018-2022 in line with WHO-supported END TB Strategy.
“Despite challenges, Bangladesh is highly committed to combat this killer disease having high social impact,” he said. World Band representative Tim Evan appreciated Bangladesh steps regarding the End TB campaign pointing out that it was the first country in the region to apply shorter treatment regimen for MDR-TB.
Indian Health Minister JP Nadda and ministers and delegation of 11 countries were present in the occasion. Earlier on the opening session of the meet yesterday, Nasim explained Bangladesh’s success in combating TB, making a notable impact on the overall public health situation particularly reducing child and maternal mortality and general poverty and increasing life expectancy. He attributed the achievements to “wise planning, careful implementation and good monitoring”. The minister said Bangladesh continued to extend a good “basic TB control service” in terms of case detection and treatment.