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WHO warns of the dangers of disruptions to tuberculosis service, which could result in an increase in drug-resistant strains and cases.
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World Tuberculosis Day is 2025. The World Health Organization (WHO), is warning of a growing health crisis. Tuberculosis has made a dangerous return. Despite being a disease we know how to prevent and cure, TB still claims over a million lives each year—and now, funding cuts could make things worse.
In the last 20 years, the global battle against TB saved an estimated 79,000,000 people’s lives. The WHO warns that the situation is deteriorating due to the tightening of health budgets and the spread of conflicts in parts Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Why decades of progress in the fight against Tuberculosis could be lost
In a Sunday speech, WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that severe disruptions in TB services have already occurred in the countries most affected by this disease. He said, “We can’t give up.” “Countries have made clear commitments at the UN General Assembly only 18 months ago, to increase efforts to stop TB. “We must keep our commitment.”
The slogan for this year’s campaign is “Yes!” The slogan “We Can End TB: We can commit, invest, deliver” calls on leaders around the world to protect and build upon progress.
As funding crisis intensifies, Tuberculosis Services are at risk of collapse.
WHO reports 27 countries experiencing serious disruptions of their TB programmes. African Region, Asia and Pacific are the most affected. The cracks in the system are showing up from staff shortages, to broken diagnostics and collapsed community programmes.
The fact that nine countries are having difficulty obtaining essential TB medicines is the most alarming. Treatment plans can fail without consistent supplies, leading to the spread of drug resistant strains.
This problem isn’t a new one. In 2023, only a quarter the $22 billion required annually to combat TB effectively was secured. The research is also underfunded, which delays much-needed innovations such as vaccines.
WHO and civil societies demand urgent action
In a rare, joint statement, WHO and the Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis issued a strong call for action. The WHO and its Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis have issued a rare joint statement calling for action.
Dr Tereza Kaaeva, WHO’s Global Programme on TB and Lung Health Director, warns that the stakes are very high. “Without immediate intervention, we run the risk of undoing twenty years of progress.” TB kills, but it’s also preventable and treatable—every dollar spent pays back dividends in both lives saved and economic growth.”
New approach to long-term health gain
WHO has developed a new integrated approach to combat this crisis. It combines TB services and lung health with primary healthcare. The new guidelines are designed to improve the way TB is treated and diagnosed at local health centers, while also addressing the root causes such as poverty, poor nutrition and pollution.
On World TB Day, WHO is urging everyone—from policymakers to everyday citizens—to keep TB on the global health agenda. The risk of losing control of the world’s most deadly infectious disease is increasing every day if we don’t unite.
