Yes, we can end TB if countries and communities take the lead

Yes, we can end TB if countries and communities take the lead By Hope Mafaranga On March 24, 2026, the world marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day under the theme, “Yes! We can End TB! Led by countries, powered by people.” The message is clear: with strong country leadership, increased investment in health systems, and meaningful involvement of affected communities, ending TB is within reach. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. In 2024 alone, about 10.7 million people developed active TB, while 1.23 million lost their lives to the disease. The burden remains heaviest in the Asia-Pacific region, which accounts for more than two-thirds of global TB cases. Five countries India (25%), Indonesia (10%), the Philippines (6.8%), China (6.5%), and Pakistan (6.3%) carry the largest share of infections. TB also continues to disproportionately affect people living with HIV, who are about 12 times more likely to develop the disease compared to HIV-negative individuals. In addition, drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is an escalating public health concern, driven by challenges in diagnosis and treatment. In 2024, about 394,000 people developed DR-TB globally, with 67% of these cases reported in the Asia-Pacific region. There is, however, some progress to build on. Since 2000, global efforts to combat TB have saved more than 79 million lives. But these gains are under threat due to rising conflicts, climate change, humanitarian crises, and increasing financial pressures on health systems. Stakeholders warn that without renewed commitment, the world risks reversing decades of progress. They are calling on global leaders to honour commitments made during the second United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB and to prioritise urgent action to end TB as a public health threat by 2035. “In 2024, global funding for TB programmes fell short by $16.1 billion, putting millions of lives at risk,” said Atul Shendge, a programme officer at the Global Coalition of TB Advocates. “This is not just a financial gap it is a direct threat to global health security.” He emphasised that unchecked TB not only causes immense human suffering but also undermines economic productivity and national stability. He called for stronger political leadership and sustained investment in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria remains the largest international financier of TB programmes, contributing about 73% of global funding. By June 2025, the Fund had invested over $10.5 billion in TB programmes and an additional $8.6 billion in TB/HIV interventions. Between 2017 and 2025, the Global Fund allocated $3.5 billion to TB programmes in the Asia-Pacific region. As a result, TB deaths in supported countries declined by 40% between 2002 and 2024. Without these interventions, deaths could have risen by 134%, with infections increasing by 40% over the same period. However, the Fund’s Eighth Replenishment raised $12.64 billion about 30% below the $18 billion target raising concerns about the sustainability of essential TB services, especially for vulnerable populations. An estimated 3-4 million people with TB are still missed by health systems every year, particularly among marginalised and hard-to-reach communities. Programmes such as the Challenge Facility for Civil Society are working to close this gap by empowering communities and TB survivors to take a leading role in national responses. Experts say TB thrives in conditions of poverty and inequality. Factors such as malnutrition, poor sanitation, and overcrowded living conditions significantly increase the risk of infection and limit patients’ ability to seek and complete treatment. “TB reflects deep social and economic inequalities,” said Florita Dalida, founder of TB HEALS. “But experience shows that progress is possible when communities are fully involved. When countries and communities lead together, we can accelerate efforts to end TB.” As the world commemorates TB Day, civil society organisations and affected communities are urging governments and development partners to take decisive action. They are calling for increased domestic funding to close the $16.1 billion financing gap and scale up access to TB services. They also want greater inclusion of young people as leaders and advocates in TB prevention and care, noting their critical role in driving behaviour change and innovation. In addition, there are calls to institutionalise community-led approaches, ensuring that affected populations are not just beneficiaries but active partners in shaping responses. Experts further stress the need for increased investment in research and development to improve diagnostics, treatment, and vaccines particularly to address the growing threat of drug-resistant TB. Finally, stakeholders are urging countries and donors to increase contributions to the Global Fund to sustain gains made in the fight against TB, HIV, and malaria, and to stay on track towards achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals. The message this year is one of urgency but also hope. With the right leadership, resources, and community engagement, the world can end TB.