Sir: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium. TB mostly affects the lungs. It is quite clear that the disease is one of the major public health problems in Pakistan. Every year, this disease causes approximately 70,000 deaths around the world and approximately 270,000 people suffer from this disease. In 2010, after the registration of 0.41 million patients of which 0.3 million are suffering from TB, Pakistan moved up two spots to sixth in the list of countries with the highest number of TB patients in the world. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, TB kills around 48,000 Pakistanis every year and the country is among the 27 most affected states. For treatment, a person must take antibiotics for at least six to nine months. The most common antibiotics used for TB treatment are Rifampin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide. The government should take steps to stop TB from spreading in Pakistan.MAHJAN FAIZKech