For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, cases are on a downward trajectory.
A new report indicates that while there has been progress in combating the disease globally, funding gaps threaten the gains made.
Funding gap threatens progress
“The reduction in the global burden of tuberculosis and progress in testing, treatment, social protection, and research is positive news after years of setbacks, but progress is not victory,” stated WHO leader Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“The fact that tuberculosis still claims over a million lives annually, despite being preventable and curable, is simply unacceptable.”
The WHO reports that global TB funding has stagnated since 2020, with only $5.9 billion available in 2024, falling short of the $22 billion target for 2027. This shortfall raises concerns that it could lead to up to two million additional deaths and 10 million cases over the next decade.
Global decline
From 2023 to 2024, the global rate of people with tuberculosis decreased by nearly 2 percent, while deaths fell by 3 percent.
“The number of people being tested and treated is increasing, and research is advancing,” said Dr. Tedros.
Since last year, more than half of the world’s population is covered by rapid tests, rising to 54 percent from 48 percent in 2023. Additionally, the treatment success rate reached 88 percent, according to the report.
Some regions have shown more success in reducing tuberculosis prevalence.
Between 2015 and 2024, the WHO African region reduced the incidence rate by 28 percent and deaths by 46 percent.
The European region experienced a 39 percent drop in incidence and a 49 percent reduction in deaths.
By 2024, 87 percent of the global tuberculosis cases were concentrated in 30 countries where social protection remains very unequal, according to the report.
Leave a Reply