Integrating pulmonary rehabilitation into post-tuberculosis care: Evidence-based rationale for policy change in high tuberculosis burden countries

Post-tuberculosis sequelae (PTBS) constitute a significant but underrecognised global health burden, especially in high TB-incidence countries. Although the microbiological cure of tuberculosis (TB) is prioritised within national TB programmes, residual structural and functional pulmonary impairments often persist. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)—a multidisciplinary intervention has shown compelling efficacy in addressing chronic respiratory limitations, psychological distress, and compromised quality of life in PTBS patients. This review consolidates current evidence, including findings from different interventional study in India, to propose integration of PR into routine post-TB care and advocate for its inclusion in national policies in high-burden settings.