As the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day approaches, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has drawn attention to the challenge of insufficient investment to tackle the disease in the African Region, adding that about US$4.5 billion annually was needed to mount a comprehensive TB response in the region.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Janabi stated this in his message heralding the World Tuberculosis Day on Wednesday.
World TB Day is commemorated on March 24 annually to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing the disease.
According to the WHO Regional Director, “Every 83 seconds, tuberculosis (TB) claims a life in the WHO African Region. In 2024 alone, TB killed 378 000 people and infected 2.7 million more, representing one quarter of the global burden. Yet, amidst this crisis lies unprecedented opportunity.
“On World TB Day today, and under the theme Yes! We Can End TB. Led by Countries. Powered by Communities, we reaffirm our collective commitment to ending TB as a public health threat. This theme recognizes that progress depends on strong national leadership, sustained investment and empowered communities driving change at every level”.
He informed that the African Region had made significant progress. Between 2015 and 2024, TB deaths declined by 46% and TB incidence fell by 28%. “Several countries have reached key global milestones: South Africa met the 2025 target for reducing TB incidence, while Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia achieved a 75% reduction in TB deaths.
“Rapid diagnostic technologies are being scaled up, and shorter, more effective six-month all-oral treatment regimens are transforming outcomes for people with drug-resistant TB. The revolutionary six -month all-oral BPaLM regimen has achieved success rates exceeding 85%, with the African Region leading the global uptake. Between 2023 and 2024, the proportion of drug-resistant patients receiving six-month regimens surged from almost zero to about 40%, the fastest adoption rate of any WHO region”, he said.
Dr. Mohamed therefore noted that this progress demonstrates that determined leadership, strengthened health systems and community engagement can deliver measurable results.
He however lamented that major gaps were slowing progress. “Each year, an estimated 600 000 people with TB in the African Region are not diagnosed or treated. Only just over half of all patients have access to WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests, leaving hundreds of thousands undiagnosed, or diagnosed too late. In addition, an estimated 62 000 people still develop rifampicin-resistant TB annually.
“Too often, families face devastating financial consequences. Nearly 70% of households affected by TB experience catastrophic costs, with the African Region accounting for the highest proportion.
“These challenges are compounded by insufficient investment. The African Region needs about US$4.5 billion annually to mount a comprehensive TB response. Yet current funding remains far below this level, with a US3.6-billion shortfall”, he said.
The WHO Regional Director further stated that country leadership was essential to closing these gaps. “At the 2023 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis, world leaders committed to reaching 90% of people affected by TB with prevention and care services, reducing TB deaths by 90%, and eliminating catastrophic costs for affected households by 2027.
“Delivering on these commitments requires sustained political will, increased domestic financing, and whole-of-government action to integrate TB prevention, diagnosis and care within stronger and more resilient health systems”, he said.
Dr. Mohamed therefore maintained that communities remained central to their effort. He said, community health workers, civil society organizations and people affected by TB were helping to find missing cases, support treatment adherence, reduce stigma and strengthen accountability. Their leadership ensure that national commitments translate into real progress for people and families.
He however stated that, “WHO remains committed to supporting Member States through technical guidance, capacity strengthening and partnership. We will continue working with countries to expand access to rapid diagnostics, accelerate the rollout of improved treatment regimens, strengthen laboratory and surveillance systems, and integrate TB services within primary health care.
“Today, I call on governments to increase domestic investment and accelerate implementation of national TB strategies, in line with the commitments made at the UN High-Level Meeting. I call on partners and donors to help close the critical funding gap and support country-led priorities. And I call on communities and civil society to continue their essential role in reaching vulnerable populations, and holding us all accountable.
“Ending TB is within our reach. With sustained leadership, adequate investment and empowered communities, the African Region can end tuberculosis as a public health threat.
“Yes. We can end TB!”
