The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged countries to take urgent steps to eliminate Tuberculosis, one of the world’s deadliest diseases.
In a message on Monday commemorating the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day, the Global Health Body, urged countries to invest in sustainable domestic and international funding for TB control.
World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated on March 24, every year to highlight the global impact of tuberculosis (TB) and review the progress made in prevention and care efforts.
This year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”, calls on governments to take immediate steps to convert promises into real progress.
WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, stated that the disease still posed a major public health threat and called on member states to take a decisive action against it:
“Every 34 seconds, someone falls ill with tuberculosis, and every six minutes, another life is lost. This is not acceptable. TB is a curable disease, yet three in ten cases remain undetected and untreated. I urge Member States to take decisive action”, she said.
The Global Health Body disclosed that that 8.7% of global TB cases were in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, with an estimated 936,000 new cases and nearly 86,000 deaths in 2023.
Although treatment success rates exceed 90%, there remain significant challenges such as low case detection rates, particularly among vulnerable groups like refugees and migrants. High treatment default rates leading to drug-resistant TB strains, and limited access to TB services in rural and remote areas.
Therefore, WHO urged governments, healthcare professionals and communities to commit to strengthening political leadership and national strategies for eliminating TB; invest in sustainable domestic and international funding for TB control; and deliver by expanding WHO-recommended interventions, including early detection, diagnosis, preventive treatment and quality care.
The Organisation continues to work closely with countries in the region to enhance TB programmes, improve treatment access, and boost screening, as well as provide psychosocial and nutritional support for those affected. Governments are encouraged to invest in stronger health systems, infection control and contact tracing, especially in high-risk communities.
TB is caused by bacteria (germs) called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The germs spread from person to person through the air. People who have TB disease in their throat or lungs spread the germs in the air when they cough, sneeze, talk, or sing.
Common symptoms include a prolonged cough, chest pain, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, fever and night sweats. Often, these symptoms are mild for many months, which delays care-seeking and increases the risk of further spread.
