Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has built a robust system to keep tuberculosis — one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases — under control.
Screenings, early detection measures, and internationally aligned treatment protocols have been crucial in keeping incidence rates low and limiting transmission, health experts say ahead of World Tuberculosis Day.
Observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness about tuberculosis (TB) and accelerate efforts to eliminate it, this year’s theme “Yes! We can end TB!” delivers both urgency and optimism, underscoring that progress is possible even amid global health challenges.
The UAE is classified among low-incidence countries, with tuberculosis rates at around one case per 100,000 people in 2024, according to World Bank data based on estimates of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
A key pillar of this success is mandatory screening. TB testing forms part of the residency visa process, with chest X-rays used to detect active pulmonary cases. To obtain a work/residence permit in the country, foreign nationals need to be free of all forms of communicable diseases, including TB.
Resident expats who test positive upon visa renewal are required to undergo treatment under strict medical supervision.
Authorities, including the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, have built a system centred on early detection, surveillance, and accessible treatment, alongside preventive measures such as newborn BCG vaccination and targeted public health screening.
Who Is Most At Risk?
In the UAE and the wider region, close and prolonged exposure to an infected person remains the primary risk factor, especially in crowded or shared living conditions, according to Dr Suha Alsheikh Suleiman, specialist in pulmonology at Burjeel Medical Centre.
“Certain groups are more vulnerable, including people with weakened immunity, such as those with diabetes or individuals on immunosuppressive treatment,” she told Aletihad.
A person’s risk of tuberculosis can be heightened by lifestyle and health factors, such as smoking and undernutrition, Dr Suleiman added.
She also pointed out that latent TB infection, where individuals carry the bacteria without symptoms, remains a hidden challenge, particularly among people from high-prevalence countries.
“Cough, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and blood in sputum are the most common symptoms. Since TB is a slowly progressing disease, patients may not feel sick initially and may not seek medical treatment,” Dr Sajeev S Nair, pulmonologist at LLH Hospital, Musaffah, explained in an interview with Aletihad.
This can lead to late diagnosis – a persistent issue globally. Moreover, tests such as sputum examination or biopsy can occasionally produce false negatives, Dr Nair added.
Early Detection Key to Limiting Spread
The UAE’s structured screening programmes have been critical in identifying cases early.
Dr Suleiman noted that medical fitness screening for residency, combined with routine contact tracing, allows authorities to detect both active and latent infections efficiently.
“These measures are in line with international public health practices and have contributed to early diagnosis and reduced transmission,” she said.
All confirmed cases are reported to public health authorities and monitored through a national surveillance system, with treatment protocols following WHO guidelines.
Once diagnosed, TB is both treatable and curable, both experts emphasised.
In the UAE, patients with confirmed TB receive free anti-TB medications through government healthcare facilities, with treatment typically involving a combination of antibiotics taken over at least six months.
Regular follow-up ensures adherence and improves outcomes – a critical factor in preventing drug resistance and relapse.
The experts agreed that public awareness, early testing, and treatment adherence are essential to sustaining progress.
Fear and misinformation can discourage individuals from seeking timely medical care, increasing the risk of transmission, Dr Suleiman noted.
Dr Nair emphasised the importance of education, isolation of active cases, and maintaining good nutrition, alongside strict adherence to medication.
Echoing the global theme, he added: “There are very effective ways to diagnose and treat TB. With coordinated efforts by healthcare professionals and cooperation from patients, TB can be eliminated in the near future.”
