Pakistan Declared Among 5 High-Burden Countries for TB
- Sara Habib
- November 4, 2024
- 10:20 am
- 49
- Current Affairs
Imagine a world free from tuberculosis. This is the goal of WHO, led by Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Recently, he urged all countries to improve TB detection and prevention. TB still causes many deaths, especially in areas with high malnutrition and HIV rates. In 2023, over half of all TB cases were in high-burden nations, including Pakistan.
The situation is serious. In 2022, TB-related deaths decreased slightly to 1.32 million, but TB remains widespread. Many cases go undiagnosed and untreated, particularly in low-income countries. To eliminate TB, countries need better tools and expanded efforts to reach at-risk populations.
Multidrug-Resistant TB: A Growing Concern
One big issue is multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). This form of TB resists common treatments, making it hard to cure. In 2023, only 44% of MDR-TB cases were treated successfully. The success rate for these treatments is just 68%, showing that MDR-TB poses serious challenges for healthcare providers.
To address MDR-TB, WHO is calling for improved treatment methods. It’s also essential to increase funding for TB treatment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These countries face many health funding gaps, which makes TB control even more difficult. Funding shortages are hurting TB treatment efforts worldwide.
Funding Shortfalls and Vaccine Research
One of the biggest barriers to TB prevention is money. LMICs needed $22 billion to control TB in 2023, but only $5.7 billion was raised. WHO’s report shows many TB patients struggle to afford treatment, with some households spending over 20% of their annual income on it.
WHO’s Dr. Tereza Kasaeva highlights how financial challenges impact TB control. She calls for more funding and support across different sectors to help fight TB. Conflict, climate change, and drug resistance add to the burden of TB control. More global action is needed to support these high-need areas.
Research is another focus of the WHO, especially in developing a TB vaccine. Only 20% of the $5 billion needed for TB research was met in 2022. WHO’s TB Vaccine Accelerator Council is working to speed up research for an effective TB vaccine.
A Global Call to Action
WHO is pushing world leaders to honor their promises to fight TB. In 2023, at the UN High-Level Meeting on TB, global leaders pledged to support TB prevention and treatment. WHO is urging governments to turn these pledges into real action. Meeting global TB goals requires a combined, urgent effort from every nation.
The WHO’s appeal is clear. More coordinated global action, funding, and resources are essential. Countries can expand TB prevention, detect more cases, and improve treatments with better support. WHO hopes this will bring the world closer to eradicating TB.
