Dr. Syed Karam Shah is the main pioneer of Tuberculosis Control in Pakistan. He acquired post graduate specialization in Thoracic and Chest Diseases (DTCD) from the University of Karachi, and the Epidemiology of Tuberculosis from Japan in 1988. After remaining as the Provincial TB Control Manager in the Government of Balochistan, he was appointed the first National Manager of Pakistan’s National Tuberculosis Control Program in 2000. He coordinated the formulation of national policies and strategies, backed up by national and provincial strategic plans, operational guidelines, training modules for all cadres of health professionals and care providers, and budgeted district implementation plans. He also facilitated the countrywide implementation of DOTS after securing sustainable financing for the national and provincial programs through indigenous resources and catalyzing the support of several international partners. He was also the first chair of the DOTS Expansion Working Group (DEWG).

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From 2006-2014 Dr. Shah led the WHO team for TB Control in the Afghanistan Country Office and provided technical assistance to the government on Tuberculosis control dimensions in the national context. After a brief stint as Adviser to the Government of Saudi Arabia from June-July 2014, he was recalled to WHO for assisting 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region in planning and implementing the End-TB strategy. Since October 2016, he has been working as Adviser for Communicable Diseases Control in the Ministry of National Health, Government of Pakistan. Dr. Shah, who is also working as Senior Adviser for Stop TB Pakistan, has authored several research publications, and is a former President of the Pakistan Chest Society.

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Dr. Shah is the recipient of the prestigious International Princess Chichibu TB Award for his services rendered for the control of Tuberculosis.