A two-day roundtable consultation coordinated by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in collaboration with the national TB program and WHO Pakistan convened leading clinicians, programme managers and technical experts to address paediatric tuberculosis across the country.
Experts examined barriers to timely diagnosis, challenges in delivering child-appropriate treatment and gaps in prevention and nutritional support, and they exchanged practical recommendations focused on making paediatric tuberculosis services more accessible and effective for families.
Discussions emphasised strengthening diagnostic capacity, adapting treatment approaches for children and integrating prevention with nutritional support so that care is both child friendly and feasible within Pakistan’s health system.
The consultation concluded with a shared commitment to develop a national roadmap that sets out concrete steps for improving paediatric tuberculosis outcomes. MSF, together with WHO, will compile the recommendations into a report to be presented to the Ministry of Health to inform policy and programme action.
Participants stressed the importance of coordinated implementation between national and local health actors to translate the roadmap into services that reach children in diverse communities, and to monitor progress on paediatric tuberculosis care across Pakistan.
