Health Minister Zahid Maleque said that the medicines manufactured and used for the treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) in Bangladesh will be exported in the future.

"The budget allocated for TB treatment in the country will be increased, if necessary," the health minister made the announcement while participating in the 9th Joint Monitoring Workshop of Tuberculosis Control Programme at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital Sunday (30 October).

Zahid Maleque noted that every year, over three lakh people are infected with the disease.

However, he added, the death rate has declined. Previously, 70,000 people died of tuberculosis annually, but now it has come down to 40,000.

"There has been much progress in the efforts to contain tuberculosis. Systematic screening for the treatment of the disease has also become more prevalent.  All our hospitals have testing equipment," the minister assured.