WHO Calls for Stronger Action From Southeast Asia To Eradicate TB

The WHO called on nations in the Southeast Asia region to enhance their endeavors to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by implementing accelerated multi-sectoral actions led by high-level political leadership, to reach every affected and at-risk person and tackle socio-economic factors associated with the disease.

WHO’s Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Saima Wazed, stated, “A primary healthcare-centered strategy that addresses TB determinants like undernutrition, incorporates new technologies including advancements in the domain of Artificial Intelligence and places communities and affected individuals at the heart of all initiatives, should be among the essential components of our revitalized approach. ”

According to the WHO, the Global TB Report 2024 indicates that over 3. 8 million individuals in the South-East Asia Region commenced TB treatment in 2023, the highest number recorded. This figure is nearly 1. 3 million higher than in 2020, which was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also noted that there has been a 22% reduction in the number of missed TB cases by the program in 2023, down from 44% in 2020.

In spite of this progress, TB fatalities were recorded at 583,000 in 2023, reduced from 763,000 in 2021. The region continues to represent 45% of the worldwide TB burden, with over 5 million individuals developing the illness and more than half of all global TB deaths occurring in this area.

In 2023, around 1. 5 million individuals received TB preventive treatment, but the coverage was still low, with only 9% of people living with HIV and fewer than 25% of household contacts of confirmed TB patients obtaining preventive care.

Funding available for TB in the region reached USD 1. 1 billion in 2023, representing a 70% increase from domestic resources. However, there remains a substantial gap of nearly USD 2 billion each year to execute a comprehensive TB strategy.

Saima Wazed acknowledged the efforts made by Southeast Asian countries while stressing that the burden of the disease is significant, socio-economically devastating and urgent, and resources are limited which calls for immediate action and accelerated efforts. She emphasized the necessity of intersectoral collaboration and resource sharing, ensuring that no one is overlooked in reaching every TB-affected individual or all vulnerable and marginalized populations.

“It is time to accelerate the momentum collectively established by the Member countries of the Region in their efforts to eradicate TB,” Wazed remarked.

On 18 August 2023, the member countries of the Southeast Asia region signed the Gandhinagar Declaration, committing to enhance their efforts to eliminate TB. Furthermore, on 22 September 2023, global leaders at the second United Nations high-level meeting on TB endorsed a historic declaration, featuring ambitious, timed targets and actions, aimed at improving TB service access, safeguarding human rights, addressing TB determinants, reducing vulnerability, promoting research and innovation, while ensuring adequate funding for these initiatives