Islamabad: Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone in global health, as Dr. Razia Fatima is honored with the highest international award for tuberculosis (TB) control during the opening ceremony of the World Conference on Lung Health. Dr. Fatima, alongside Dr. Jane Carter from the United States, received this prestigious award from the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, recognizing their tireless efforts in TB research and advocacy. The ceremony, attended by thousands of scientists and healthcare professionals, marked a historic moment for Pakistan as Dr. Fatima became the first Pakistani to receive this esteemed recognition.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Fatima shared, “I began my career in 2002 at a remote Basic Health Unit, where I noticed many people from nearby slums with symptoms specific to tuberculosis. This inspired me to establish a model TB DOTS center, where hundreds of patients were treated, and the center became a model for TB control, gaining attention from international partners.” She continued to build on this early experience by joining Pakistan’s National TB Control Program in 2008, where she contributed significantly to evidence-based research initiatives and launched the Structured Operational Research course in 2016 with support from the WHO TDR and the Global Fund. Through this program, she has trained over 50 researchers, nearly 40% of whom are women, across more than 20 institutions in Pakistan.
Dr. Fatima highlighted the ongoing financial challenges, noting that research funding for TB often lags behind other priorities. She stated, “Advocating for TB research financing has been a critical part of my role. Although progress has been made with support from the Global Fund, continuous advocacy is necessary to ensure stable funding for research in Pakistan.” Dr. Fatima emphasized the need for consistent investment in new tools, digital systems, and interventions, particularly with the implementation of Pakistan’s digital TB tracker system (DHIS2), supported by the Global Fund and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This digital system now tracks every TB case across the public and private sectors, enhancing data visibility and enabling real-time monitoring of TB treatment across Pakistan’s provinces.
Dr. Fatima’s commitment to expanding domestic investment in TB control and research remains a top priority. She revealed that over 60% of the country’s National Strategic Plan for TB remains unfunded, with only $180 million allocated by the Global Fund and around $50 million from the government. To fill this gap, Dr. Fatima emphasized the need for greater domestic and international investment to enhance TB diagnostics, improve the utilization of the diagnostic network, and expand preventive therapy.
Now serving as a TB Consultant with UNOPS and as adjunct faculty at various universities, Dr. Fatima continues her advocacy for TB research in Pakistan. She plans to focus on operational and implementation research, along with clinical trials, to bring innovative solutions to the country’s TB response. She highlighted the importance of integrating TB efforts into a broader health response, working with the Multi-Sectoral Accountability Framework (MAF TB) to engage multiple ministries and civil society in reducing TB stigma and promoting preventive therapy.
The global scientific community celebrated Dr. Fatima’s contributions to TB control, and Pakistanis in Indonesia shared in this pride. Dr. Fatima’s journey underscores a commitment to public health and the collective fight against TB, symbolizing hope and progress for millions affected by the disease worldwide.
