Childhood Tuberculosis: An Under Prioritized Disease in Nepal.

Abstract

Globally, childhood tuberculosis constitutes up to 10% of overall tuberculosis cases. In Nepal, childhood tuberculosis has remained around 5.5% of overall tuberculosis cases and has remained stagnant over the years. Moreover, our health system is focused on adult tuberculosis. Childhood tuberculosis has recently got its attention both at the national and international levels. National Tuberculosis Program has been a successful program; however, more has to be done to track childhood tuberculosis progress. In this viewpoint, we discuss current initiatives taken by the government and the way forward for case detection and management of childhood tuberculosis in Nepal.