Prior to the observance of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24th, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published an investment case advocating for TB screening and preventive treatment. Developed through a modelling study in collaboration with the governments of Brazil, Georgia, Kenya, and South Africa, the analysis underscores the potential impact of expanding TB screening and preventive treatment initiatives.
The findings reveal that even modest investments could yield significant health and economic benefits across all four countries, with a potential return on investment reaching up to US$ 39 for every dollar invested. This investment case is intended to bolster countries’ efforts in advocating for and allocating increased resources towards the scaling up of TB screening and preventive treatment, aligning with the new targets established by Heads of State during the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB.
While global endeavors have saved an estimated 75 million lives since 2000, TB continues to claim 1.3 million lives annually and affects millions more, exerting profound repercussions on families and communities.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasized, “The investment case articulates the health and economic justification for investing in evidence-based, WHO-recommended interventions for TB screening and prevention, which can contribute to advancing universal health coverage. Today, we possess the knowledge, tools, and political determination necessary to eradicate this age-old disease, which persists as one of the world’s leading infectious killers.”
According to the investment report, the implementation of TB screening alongside preventive treatment can substantially diminish TB incidence and mortality rates. It underscores the indispensable nature of these vital public health investments in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and attaining the End TB targets.
In 2022, WHO reported a notable global resurgence in the expansion of access to TB diagnosis and treatment services, marking the highest figures recorded since WHO commenced global TB monitoring in 1995. Nonetheless, the progress in expanding access to TB preventive treatment has been sluggish. Preventing TB infection and halting its progression from infection to disease are pivotal in reducing TB incidence to the levels envisioned by WHO’s End TB Strategy. To achieve this, it is imperative to offer TB preventive treatment to individuals living with HIV, household contacts of TB patients, and other high-risk groups.
While significant strides have been made in combating multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), it remains a pressing public health concern. Despite an estimated 410,000 individuals developing multidrug-resistant or rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) in 2022, only about 40% of them accessed treatment. Progress in developing new TB diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines remains hindered by the overall level of investment in these areas. It is evident that concerted efforts are required to combat TB effectively, as it continues to rank among the world’s foremost infectious killers.
The theme for the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, “Yes! We can end TB!” resonates a message of optimism, affirming that regaining momentum to stem the tide of the TB epidemic is feasible through high-level leadership, augmented investments, and swift adoption of new WHO recommendations.
Building upon the commitments made by Heads of State during the UN High-Level Meeting in 2023 to expedite progress towards ending TB, this year’s emphasis shifts towards translating these pledges into tangible actions. This includes the implementation of the WHO Director-General’s flagship initiative on TB for the period 2023-2027.
Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Tuberculosis Programme, remarked, “The next five years will be pivotal in ensuring that the current political impetus translates into concrete actions aimed at achieving global TB targets. WHO will continue to provide global leadership in the TB response, collaborating with all stakeholders until every individual, family, and community affected by this deadly disease is reached and saved.”
The global targets ratified at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB encompass reaching 90% of individuals in need with TB prevention and care services, adopting a WHO-recommended rapid test as the primary method for diagnosing TB, furnishing a comprehensive health and social benefit package to all individuals with TB, ensuring the availability of at least one new TB vaccine that is both safe and efficacious, and bridging funding gaps for TB implementation and research by 2027.
