Imagine a world where a preventable and curable TB disease claims over a million lives each year. This isn’t a dystopian fiction—it’s the stark reality of tuberculosis (TB) in our global community. As we approach World TB Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded an urgent alarm: the global TB response is in crisis.

Severe disruptions in TB services across 27 high-burden countries are threatening years of progress. From collapsing surveillance systems to critical drug shortages, the situation is dire. 🚨 But it’s not just about numbers—it’s about human lives hanging in the balance. With only a fraction of the necessary funding available, millions are at risk of losing access to life-saving prevention and treatment.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the WHO’s call to action, exploring the funding crisis, the push for integrated healthcare, and the urgent need for collective action. As we unpack these critical issues, we’ll see why restoring disrupted TB services isn’t just a health imperative—it’s a moral and economic necessity that affects us all.

Severe Disruptions in Global TB Response

A. Critical breakdowns in 27 high-burden countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported severe disruptions in tuberculosis (TB) responses across 27 high-burden countries due to significant funding cuts. These critical breakdowns have led to a cascade of issues that threaten to reverse years of progress in the fight against TB. The impact of these disruptions is far-reaching, affecting various aspects of TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Key areas affected by these critical breakdowns include:

1. Human resource shortages
2. Disrupted diagnostic services
3. Collapsing data and surveillance systems
4. Deteriorating community engagement efforts
5. Failures in TB drug procurement and supply chains

The severity of these disruptions cannot be overstated. For instance, nine countries have reported failures in TB drug procurement and supply chains, which directly endangers treatment continuity for patients. This breakdown in the supply chain not only puts current patients at risk but also increases the likelihood of drug-resistant TB strains emerging.

B. Most significant impacts in African, South-East Asian, and Western Pacific regions

While the TB crisis is global, the most significant impacts of these disruptions are observed in three key WHO regions:

1. African Region
2. South-East Asian Region
3. Western Pacific Region

These regions, which already bear a disproportionate burden of TB cases, are now facing even greater challenges due to the funding cuts and subsequent service disruptions. The impact on these regions is particularly concerning given their high TB prevalence and the potential for rapid spread of the disease in densely populated areas.

To illustrate the severity of the situation in these regions, let’s look at a comparative table of the impact:

Region	TB Burden	Service Disruption Level	Key Challenges
African	High	Severe	Human resource shortages, collapsing data systems
South-East Asian	Very High	Significant	Disrupted diagnostics, drug supply issues
Western Pacific	High	Moderate to Severe	Community engagement decline, surveillance gaps

The table clearly shows that while all three regions are facing significant challenges, the nature and severity of the disruptions vary, necessitating tailored approaches to address the crisis in each region.

C. Key areas affected: human resources, diagnostics, data systems, and community engagement

The critical breakdowns in TB response have affected several key areas essential for effective TB control and treatment. Let’s examine each of these areas in detail:

1. Human Resources:
   • Shortages of trained healthcare workers
   • Reduced capacity to conduct TB screenings and provide treatment
   • Increased workload on existing staff, leading to burnout and decreased efficiency
2. Diagnostics:
   • Disruption in diagnostic services, leading to delayed or missed TB diagnoses
   • Reduced access to essential diagnostic tools such as GeneXpert machines
   • Backlog in TB testing, potentially leading to increased transmission in communities
3. Data Systems:
   • Collapse of data and surveillance systems in many high-burden countries
   • Inability to accurately track TB cases and monitor treatment progress
   • Challenges in implementing evidence-based interventions due to lack of reliable data
4. Community Engagement:
   • Deterioration of community-based TB programs
   • Reduced awareness and education initiatives in high-risk communities
   • Decreased participation in TB screening and treatment adherence programs

The impact of these disruptions is further exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has diverted resources and attention away from TB control efforts. For example, a study on TB healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, India, and South Africa revealed alarming statistics:

• Bacteriological tests for TB diagnosis decreased by:
  • 24.3% in Brazil
  • 27.8% in India
  • 32.0% in South Africa
• TB treatment initiations dropped by:
  • 17.4% in Brazil
  • 43.3% in India
  • 27.0% in South Africa
• Mortality rates during treatment increased by:
  • 13.7% in Brazil
  • 1.7% in India
  • 21.8% in South Africa

These figures underscore the urgent need for immediate action to address the TB crisis and restore essential services.

The WHO, recognizing the gravity of the situation, has called for immediate coordinated efforts from governments and health leaders to ensure uninterrupted TB services. Their recommendations include:

1. Urgent response to service disruptions
2. Securing sustainable domestic funding
3. Safeguarding essential TB services
4. Establishing national collaboration platforms
5. Enhancing monitoring systems

Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, a WHO official, emphasized both the moral and economic imperatives of investing in TB prevention and treatment. Each dollar spent on TB care can yield substantial economic returns, making it not just a public health necessity but also a sound economic investment.

In response to these challenges, the WHO is promoting the integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare. This approach aims to improve prevention and management, address shared risk factors, and unify strategies to combat TB alongside other health issues. The new technical guidance provided by WHO is designed to strengthen the overall health system while specifically targeting TB control efforts.

As we look towards the future, it’s clear that addressing the TB crisis requires a multifaceted approach. The theme of the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day campaign, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” encapsulates the urgent need for accountability and commitment from world leaders to reverse the current trend of service disruptions and funding shortfalls.

With this comprehensive understanding of the severe disruptions in the global TB response, we can now turn our attention to the next critical aspect of this crisis. In the following section, “Funding Crisis in TB Prevention and Care,” we will delve deeper into the financial challenges that underpin these service disruptions and explore potential solutions to ensure sustainable funding for TB control efforts worldwide.

Funding Crisis in TB Prevention and Care

Now that we have explored the severe disruptions in the global TB response, let’s delve into the funding crisis that is exacerbating the challenges in TB prevention and care.

A. Only 26% of required US$22 billion available in 2023

The tuberculosis (TB) response is facing a critical funding shortfall, severely impacting global efforts to combat this deadly disease. In 2023, only 26% of the required US$22 billion is available for TB prevention and care initiatives. This stark financial gap threatens to undo decades of progress in the fight against TB.

The funding crisis is particularly alarming when we consider the significant achievements made in TB control over the past two decades:

• Over 79 million lives saved
• Approximately 3.65 million deaths averted in the previous year alone

However, these hard-won gains are now at risk due to the abrupt reduction in funding, especially from the United States, which has historically been the largest bilateral donor for TB responses.

Impact on high-burden countries

The funding cuts are having a disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that heavily rely on international aid for their TB programs. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

Region	Impact Level	Dependency on U.S. Funding
WHO African Region	Most affected	High
South-East Asian Region	Severely impacted	Significant
Western Pacific Region	Highly affected	Considerable

Eighteen countries with the highest TB burdens are at particular risk, as they depend on 89% of the expected U.S. funding for their TB care initiatives. This funding crisis is leading to:

1. Layoffs among health workers
2. Disrupted drug supply chains
3. Failures in data and surveillance systems
4. Hindered early detection of TB cases
5. Increased risks of TB transmission

Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, warns that any disruption to TB services could have severe consequences. She draws a parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to over 700,000 excess TB deaths due to service interruptions.

B. Research funding at one-fifth of US$5 billion target in 2022

The funding crisis extends beyond immediate care and prevention efforts, significantly impacting TB research and innovation. In 2022, research funding for TB reached only one-fifth of the US$5 billion target, severely hampering progress in developing new treatments, diagnostics, and potential vaccines.

USAID funding cuts and their impact on research

USAID, the third-largest TB research funder globally, has halted all trials it was funding. This decision has far-reaching consequences for TB research and innovation:

• Stalled progress in developing new TB treatments
• Delayed advancements in diagnostic techniques
• Setbacks in potential vaccine development
• Reduced capacity for conducting large-scale clinical trials
• Limited ability to address emerging challenges, such as drug-resistant TB strains

The research funding shortfall is particularly concerning given the complex nature of TB and the need for ongoing innovation to combat the disease effectively. Without adequate research funding, the global community risks falling behind in the race against TB, especially in the face of evolving drug resistance and changing disease patterns.

C. Nine countries facing TB drug procurement and supply chain failures

The funding crisis has led to severe disruptions in TB drug procurement and supply chains, with nine countries reporting critical failures. This situation poses an immediate threat to TB patients and undermines global efforts to control the disease.

Consequences of supply chain failures

1. Treatment interruptions: Patients may not receive their full course of medication, increasing the risk of drug resistance and treatment failure.
2. Increased transmission: Untreated or partially treated patients can continue to spread TB in their communities.
3. Rise in drug-resistant TB: Inconsistent treatment can lead to the development of drug-resistant strains, which are more difficult and expensive to treat.
4. Economic burden: Supply chain failures can result in wastage of limited resources and increased costs for emergency procurement.

Regional impact of drug procurement issues

The impact of drug procurement and supply chain failures varies across regions:

Region	Impact Level	Key Challenges
Africa	Severe	Limited local production, reliance on imports
South-East Asia	High	Disrupted international supply chains
Western Pacific	Moderate	Challenges in last-mile delivery

To address these critical issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to assist national governments and global partners in securing sustained funding and integrated solutions. The organization emphasizes the need for:

• Strengthening local drug production capabilities
• Improving supply chain management systems
• Enhancing regional cooperation for drug procurement
• Implementing innovative strategies for last-mile delivery

With this in mind, next, we’ll see how the WHO and Civil Society Task Force are joining forces to call for urgent action in addressing the global TB crisis. This collaborative effort aims to mobilize resources, raise awareness, and implement effective strategies to overcome the funding shortfall and its devastating consequences on TB prevention and care worldwide.

WHO and Civil Society Task Force Joint Call to Action

Now that we have covered the funding crisis in TB prevention and care, it’s crucial to examine the joint call to action issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis. This coordinated effort aims to address the severe disruptions in tuberculosis (TB) responses and mobilize immediate action from governments and health leaders worldwide.

A. Immediate coordinated action from governments and health leaders

In response to the critical breakdowns in TB services across 27 high-burden countries, the WHO and the Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis have issued a joint statement calling for urgent, coordinated action. This call to action is directed primarily at governments and health leaders, emphasizing the need for swift and decisive measures to prevent further service disruptions.

The severity of the situation is underscored by the following impacts:

• Human resource shortages
• Disrupted diagnostic services
• Collapsing data and surveillance systems
• Deteriorating community engagement efforts
• Failures in TB drug procurement and supply chains in nine countries

These disruptions pose a significant threat to the continuity of TB treatment and the overall progress made in combating the disease. The joint statement serves as a rallying cry for immediate intervention to safeguard essential TB services and protect vulnerable populations.

B. Five key priorities for addressing TB service disruptions

To effectively tackle the challenges facing TB prevention and care, the WHO and Civil Society Task Force have outlined five key priorities that demand immediate attention:

1. Urgent response to service disruptions
2. Securing sustainable domestic funding
3. Safeguarding essential TB services
4. Establishing national collaboration platforms
5. Enhancing monitoring systems

Let’s examine each of these priorities in detail:

1. Urgent response to service disruptions

This priority focuses on the immediate need to address the breakdowns in TB services. Actions may include:

• Mobilizing emergency resources to restore disrupted services
• Implementing rapid response teams to assess and rectify critical gaps
• Developing contingency plans to ensure continuity of care during crises

2. Securing sustainable domestic funding

Given the significant funding shortfall for TB prevention and care, this priority emphasizes the importance of:

• Advocating for increased domestic budget allocations for TB programs
• Exploring innovative financing mechanisms to supplement traditional funding sources
• Encouraging political commitment to long-term, sustainable funding strategies

3. Safeguarding essential TB services

This priority aims to ensure that core TB services remain accessible and operational, even in challenging circumstances. Key actions include:

• Integrating TB services into primary healthcare systems
• Strengthening supply chain management to prevent drug stockouts
• Maintaining community-based TB screening and treatment programs

4. Establishing national collaboration platforms

To improve coordination and efficiency in TB responses, this priority focuses on:

• Creating multi-sectoral partnerships involving government, civil society, and private sector stakeholders
• Facilitating knowledge sharing and best practices among TB service providers
• Promoting a unified approach to TB prevention and care at the national level

5. Enhancing monitoring systems

This priority emphasizes the need for robust data collection and analysis to inform decision-making and track progress. Actions may include:

• Upgrading surveillance systems to provide real-time data on TB cases and treatment outcomes
• Implementing digital health solutions for improved data management and reporting
• Conducting regular assessments of TB program performance and impact

The following table summarizes the key priorities and their potential impacts:

Priority	Potential Impact
Urgent response to service disruptions	Immediate restoration of critical TB services
Securing sustainable domestic funding	Long-term financial stability for TB programs
Safeguarding essential TB services	Continuity of care and improved treatment outcomes
Establishing national collaboration platforms	Enhanced coordination and efficiency in TB responses
Enhancing monitoring systems	Data-driven decision-making and program optimization

C. Emphasis on moral and economic imperatives of TB investment

Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, a key figure in the WHO’s TB response, has highlighted the dual imperatives of investing in TB prevention and treatment: moral and economic. This emphasis underscores the critical importance of sustained commitment to TB control efforts.

Moral imperative

The moral case for investing in TB prevention and treatment is rooted in:

• The-fundamental right to health for all individuals
• The-disproportionate impact of TB on vulnerable and marginalized populations
• Thepreventable nature of TB-related deaths and suffering

Economic imperative

The economic arguments for TB investment include:

• The-high cost of inaction, including lost productivity and increased healthcare expenses
• The-potential for significant returns on investment through reduced disease burden
• The-broader economic benefits of a healthier workforce and reduced strain on healthcare systems

By framing TB investment in terms of both moral and economic imperatives, Dr. Kasaeva and the WHO aim to galvanize support from a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, and the private sector.

The urgency of this call to action is further emphasized by the approaching World TB Day, which serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to sustain the global TB response. The WHO stresses that without immediate and coordinated efforts from all sectors, there is a risk of regression that could threaten millions of lives and overall health security.

With this in mind, next, we’ll see how the integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare systems plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges outlined in this joint call to action. This integration represents a strategic approach to improving TB prevention, detection, and treatment while simultaneously addressing other related health issues.

Integration of TB and Lung Health into Primary Healthcare

Now that we have covered the WHO and Civil Society Task Force’s joint call to action, let’s delve into the critical aspect of integrating tuberculosis (TB) and lung health into primary healthcare systems. This integration is crucial for improving prevention and management strategies in the global fight against TB.

A. New WHO technical guidance for improved prevention and management

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the need for enhanced prevention and management of tuberculosis at the primary healthcare level. This recognition stems from the increasing prevalence of TB in various countries, including the UK, where despite extensive efforts, TB rates have risen over the past 30 years. The UK now experiences one of the highest TB rates among Western countries, with nearly 9,000 cases reported in 2011, primarily concentrated in urban areas, particularly London.

To address this growing concern, the WHO has introduced new technical guidance focused on integrating TB care into primary healthcare settings. This guidance emphasizes several key areas:

1. Early diagnosis and screening
2. Enhanced awareness and training for primary care professionals
3. Implementation of latent TB screening
4. Equitable access to healthcare for at-risk populations

Early Diagnosis and Screening

The WHO guidance underscores the critical role of primary care in addressing TB through early diagnosis and screening. Primary care settings are often the first point of contact for patients, making them ideal for identifying potential TB cases. The guidance suggests:

• Implementing systematic screening protocols in high-burden areas
• Utilizing interferon gamma release assays for latent TB screening
• Recognizing varied presentations of TB to avoid diagnostic delays

Enhanced Awareness and Training

To improve TB detection and management, the WHO recommends:

• Providing specialized training for primary care professionals, particularly in high-burden areas
• Educating healthcare providers on the diverse manifestations of TB
• Promoting awareness of TB risk factors and transmission patterns

B. Addressing shared risk factors and unifying strategies

The integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare necessitates a comprehensive approach that addresses shared risk factors and unifies strategies across various health issues. This approach is particularly important given the complex interplay between TB and other health conditions, such as HIV.

HIV and TB Co-infection

The link between HIV and TB is a significant concern, especially in areas with high prevalence of both diseases. The WHO guidance emphasizes:

• Universal HIV testing in high-incidence areas to identify undiagnosed cases
• Integrated care for patients with HIV-TB co-infection
• Enhanced monitoring and treatment strategies for co-infected individuals

Factor	TB Only	HIV-TB Co-infection
Risk of Active TB	Standard	Significantly higher
Diagnosis Complexity	Moderate	High
Treatment Duration	6-9 months	Extended (varies)
Mortality Risk	Lower	Higher
Follow-up Intensity	Regular	Intensive

Social Determinants of Health

Recognizing that TB is influenced by broader social factors, the WHO guidance advocates for:

• Integrated efforts among healthcare providers, public health organizations, and community groups
• Addressing health inequalities that contribute to TB prevalence
• Improving access to healthcare for marginalized populations

C. Combating TB alongside other health issues

The integration of TB care into primary healthcare systems allows for a more holistic approach to patient health. This strategy enables healthcare providers to address TB alongside other health issues, improving overall patient outcomes.

Coordinated Care Approach

The WHO guidance promotes a coordinated care approach that includes:

• Cross-training healthcare professionals to recognize and manage multiple health conditions
• Implementing integrated screening protocols for TB and other prevalent diseases
• Developing comprehensive treatment plans that address all aspects of patient health

Strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems

To effectively combat TB alongside other health issues, the WHO emphasizes the need to strengthen primary healthcare systems through:

1. Improved resource allocation
2. Enhanced diagnostic capabilities
3. Streamlined referral processes
4. Continuous professional development for healthcare providers

Case Study: Brazil’s Primary Healthcare Integration

A study conducted in Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil in 2009 evaluated the performance of primary health care (PHC) and emergency medical services (EMS) in diagnosing tuberculosis. The findings highlight the importance of integrating TB care into primary healthcare:

• PHC demonstrated better resources and processes for sputum test requests compared to EMS
• EMS showed weaknesses, including a lack of sputum collection tools and over-reliance on X-ray diagnostics
• Both services identified TB diagnoses as primarily the physician’s responsibility, indicating a need for more integrated care approaches

These findings underscore the necessity of strengthening PHC to improve TB diagnostics and overall healthcare delivery.

Innovative Management Models

The integration of TB care into primary healthcare also opens opportunities for innovative management models. A study at Jiangxi Chest Hospital in China examined the efficacy of a TB doctor-nurse integration management model. The results showed significant improvements in:

• TB knowledge awareness among patients
• Medication compliance
• Patient satisfaction scores
• Reduced waiting and hospitalization times

This model demonstrates the potential benefits of integrated care approaches in TB management within primary healthcare settings.

As we transition to discussing the urgent need for collective action on World TB Day, it’s clear that the integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare systems is a crucial step in addressing the global TB crisis. This approach not only improves TB prevention and management but also strengthens overall healthcare delivery, addressing multiple health issues simultaneously and more effectively.

World TB Day: Urgent Need for Collective Action

Now that we have explored the integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare, let’s turn our attention to the urgent need for collective action in the global fight against tuberculosis, as highlighted on World TB Day.

A. Sustaining global TB response to prevent regression

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about the critical state of global tuberculosis (TB) response. Recent funding cuts have severely disrupted TB services in 27 high-burden countries, threatening to undo two decades of progress in the fight against this deadly infectious disease. Since 2000, global efforts have saved approximately 79 million lives, but these achievements are now at risk of being reversed.

The impact of these disruptions is most pronounced in the WHO African Region, followed by Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. These breakdowns in TB services include:

• Human resource shortages
• Compromised diagnostic services
• Deteriorating community engagement efforts
• Collapsing data and surveillance systems

In nine countries, failures in TB drug procurement and supply chains have been reported, endangering treatment continuity for patients. This situation not only increases the risk of TB transmission but also threatens the overall progress made in controlling the disease.

To address these challenges, WHO and the Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis have outlined five critical priorities:

1. Urgent response to service disruptions
2. Securing sustainable domestic funding
3. Safeguarding essential TB services
4. Establishing national collaboration platforms
5. Enhancing monitoring systems

These priorities aim to prevent further service disruptions and sustain the global TB response, which is crucial for averting a regression that could endanger millions of lives and compromise overall health security.

B. Protecting millions of lives and overall health security

The current funding crisis in TB prevention and care is alarming. In 2023, only 26% of the US$22 billion needed annually for TB prevention and care was available. This severe underfunding poses a significant threat to global health security and puts millions of lives at risk.

TB remains the deadliest infectious disease globally, claiming over a million lives annually and adversely affecting families and communities. The potential reversal of progress in TB control could have devastating consequences:

Consequences of TB Progress Reversal
Increased TB transmission rates
Higher mortality rates
Strain on healthcare systems
Economic burden on affected countries
Rise in drug-resistant TB cases

Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, emphasized the moral and economic imperatives of investing in TB prevention and treatment. Every dollar spent on TB eradication has the potential to yield $43 in economic returns, highlighting the importance of sustained investment in TB control efforts.

The underfunding issue extends beyond prevention and care. TB research is critically underfunded, receiving only one-fifth of the US$5 billion target in 2022. This lack of funding hampers advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and vaccine development, which are crucial for long-term TB control and eradication efforts.

To protect millions of lives and maintain global health security, immediate action is required from governments, health leaders, and donors. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called for coordinated efforts to:

• Secure sustainable funding for TB programs
• Ensure equitable access to TB services
• Enhance monitoring systems to detect disruptions early

These actions are essential to prevent the TB response from being severely undermined and to safeguard the progress made in saving lives and improving global health security.

C. Engaging all sectors in the fight against tuberculosis

The World TB Day 2025 campaign, themed “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” emphasizes the need for urgent action and accountability from all sectors of society. The fight against tuberculosis requires a collective effort that extends beyond the healthcare sector.

To effectively combat TB, various sectors must contribute actively:

1. Government:
   • Prioritize TB in national health agendas
   • Allocate sufficient domestic funding for TB programs
   • Implement policies to support TB prevention and care
2. Healthcare sector:
   • Integrate TB services into primary healthcare
   • Train healthcare workers in TB diagnosis and treatment
   • Implement innovative strategies for TB detection and management
3. Private sector:
   • Invest in TB research and development
   • Support workplace TB screening and prevention programs
   • Contribute to TB awareness campaigns
4. Civil society:
   • Advocate for increased TB funding and support
   • Engage in community-based TB prevention and care initiatives
   • Raise awareness about TB and reduce stigma
5. International organizations:
   • Coordinate global TB response efforts
   • Provide technical support to high-burden countries
   • Mobilize resources for TB prevention, care, and research
6. Research institutions:
   • Develop new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for TB
   • Conduct operational research to improve TB program effectiveness
   • Collaborate on cross-border TB control initiatives

Engaging all these sectors is crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by TB. The WHO is promoting the integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare as a sustainable strategy to address resource constraints and improve overall health outcomes.

To foster collaboration among various stakeholders, the WHO recommends establishing national collaboration platforms. These platforms can facilitate:

• Knowledge sharing
• Resource pooling
• Coordinated action planning
• Monitoring and evaluation of TB control efforts

By involving all sectors in the fight against TB, we can:

1. Maximize resource utilization
2. Enhance the reach and effectiveness of TB programs
3. Address broader health determinants that contribute to TB transmission
4. Accelerate progress towards TB elimination

The urgency of engaging all sectors cannot be overstated. With the current funding crisis and service disruptions, a united front is essential to prevent the resurgence of TB and protect global health security. Each sector has a unique role to play, and their collective efforts are crucial for sustaining the global TB response and achieving the goal of ending TB.

In conclusion, World TB Day serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action in the fight against tuberculosis. By sustaining the global TB response, protecting millions of lives, and engaging all sectors, we can work towards a world free of TB. The time for action is now, and every stakeholder has a vital role to play in this critical global health endeavor.

The global tuberculosis crisis demands immediate and coordinated action from governments, health leaders, and civil society. With severe disruptions in TB services across high-burden countries, particularly in Africa and South-East Asia, millions of lives are at risk. The funding shortfall for TB prevention, care, and research further compounds this critical situation, threatening to undo years of progress in combating this deadly disease.

As we mark World TB Day, it is imperative that all sectors come together to sustain the global TB response. By addressing the five priorities outlined by WHO and the Civil Society Task Force on Tuberculosis, including securing sustainable funding and safeguarding essential services, we can prevent further service breakdowns and protect vulnerable populations. The integration of TB and lung health into primary healthcare offers a promising approach to improve prevention, management, and overall health outcomes. It is only through collective action and unwavering commitment that we can overcome this crisis and ensure a healthier, TB-free future for all.