- WHO urges increased investment in TB research and development, including vaccines and diagnostics, to combat the disease effectively
- Dr. Matshidiso Moeti highlights the urgent need for collective action to address the ongoing TB epidemic and emphasizes prevention efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for increased investment in the research and development of new tools, including vaccines and enhanced diagnostics, to combat tuberculosis (TB).
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the importance of such investments in her statement marking this year’s World Tuberculosis Day.
Dr. Moeti highlighted that accelerating progress in ending TB requires significant advancements in research and development. She emphasized that TB remains the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing even the toll of HIV/AIDS.
Citing the latest report, Dr. Moeti revealed that approximately 2.5 million individuals contracted TB in the African region in 2022, equating to one person being infected every 13 seconds. Additionally, TB-related deaths in the same year reached 424,000, resulting in the loss of one life every minute despite the disease being preventable and treatable.
“These statistics underscore the urgent need for collective action to address the ongoing TB epidemic and emphasize the necessity of sustained efforts to bring it to an end,” she stated.
Dr. Moeti urged all member states to prioritize a comprehensive approach that tackles the underlying causes of the disease while strengthening efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Health leaders were called upon to reaffirm their commitment to enhancing health systems, ensuring equitable access to TB care, and scaling up innovative interventions.
Furthermore, Dr. Moeti emphasized the importance of addressing the social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited healthcare access, to achieve lasting results. She stressed that collaboration across sectors and borders is essential in this endeavour.
Discussion about this post