WHO has called for stronger action and investment to end TB in Africa by 2030, warning of persistent funding gaps and rising cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged governments and stakeholders to intensify efforts to end Tuberculosis (TB) as a public health threat across Africa by 2030.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, made the call in a statement marking World Tuberculosis Day 2026.
He noted that Africa continues to bear a significant TB burden, with the disease claiming one life every 83 seconds.
According to him, in 2024 alone, TB caused 378,000 deaths and infected 2.7 million people in the WHO African Region-accounting for about one-quarter of global cases.
Janabi warned that persistent funding shortfalls and a high number of undetected cases remain major obstacles to eliminating TB, despite progress made in diagnosis, treatment, and community engagement.
He stressed that stronger investment and accountability were critical to sustaining gains and accelerating progress.
The WHO official highlighted notable achievements across the region, including a 46 per cent reduction in TB-related deaths and a 28 per cent decline in incidence between 2015 and 2024.
Countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania were cited for making measurable progress toward global targets.
Janabi emphasised that ending TB would require strong national leadership, increased domestic and international funding, and community-driven approaches to ensure access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
He added that renewed commitment, especially around World Tuberculosis Day, presents an opportunity to accelerate efforts toward eliminating the disease.
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