In the run-up to World Tuberculosis Day (March 24), the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain TB care and support services for people in need across regions and countries.

TB remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease, responsible for over one million deaths annually, leaving devastating impacts on families and communities. Global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000, the WHO said.

However, the ongoing drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding are threatening to reverse these gains. Rising drug resistance, especially across Europe, and the ongoing conflicts across West Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe are further exacerbating the situation for the most vulnerable.

 “The huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years are now at risk as cuts to funding start to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we cannot give up on the concrete commitments that world leaders made at the UN General Assembly just 18 months ago to accelerate work to end TB, “ he said, adding that the organisation would work with donors, partners and affected countries to mitigate the impact of funding cuts and find innovative solutions.

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