Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The World Health Organisation has revealed that approximately 8.2 million people were newly diagnosed with Tuberculosis in 2023.
The global health body described the number as the highest recorded since global TB monitoring began in 1995.
According to the Global Tuberculosis Report 2024, 10.8 million people fell ill with TB last year, surpassing COVID-19 as the leading infectious disease killer.
The breakdown of cases shows 55 per cent were men, 33 per cent were women, and 12 per cent were children and young adolescents.
The WHO report revealed that India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan account for a staggering 56 per cent of the global TB burden.
While highlighting the need for targeted interventions in these regions, the global health body added that multidrug-resistant TB remains a significant public health crisis, with only 44 per cent of estimated cases being diagnosed and treated in 2023.
On the funding gap, the report said that global funding for TB prevention and care decreased further in 2023 and remains far below target, further impeding the development of new TB diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines.
It also said low- and middle-income countries which bear 98 per cent of the TB burden, faced significant funding shortages.
The report stated that only US$ 5.7 billion of the US$ 22 billion annual funding target was available in 2023, equivalent to only 26 per cent of the global target.
It emphasised that sustained financial investment is crucial for the success of TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.
WHO urged countries to expand tool usage and end TB, calling for sustained financial investment in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts.
“TB can be prevented, detected, and treated with available tools.
“We must expand tool usage and invest in sustained financial efforts to end TB,” said WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.
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