On the occasion of World TB Day, March 24, Afghan health authorities said that nearly 73,000 Afghans were infected by TB in the previous year.
Wahid Majroh, acting minister of public health, said that more than 50,000 people were diagnosed with TB, of who 9,800 lost their lives.
TB is one of the deadly diseases in the world.
Mr. Majroh said the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) will try to curb TB in the coming years. Majroh underlined the MoPH would use new medical technology to diagnose patients with TB.
The Ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the US Embassy in Kabul, according to a statement issued by the MoPH. Under the MOU, the US will provide the Afghan health sector with financial and technical assistance to fight TB.
Each year, World TB Day is commemorated to raise public awareness about TB and TB prevention.