Renewed Push to End TB Ahead of 2026 World Day

As World Tuberculosis Day approaches on March 24, 2026, health officials and experts worldwide are urging a renewed commitment to eradicating the disease through expanded community involvement, innovative diagnostics, and multisectoral strategies, amid persistent challenges in high-burden regions like Africa and Nigeria.

The World Health Organization reported that Africa accounts for about 25 percent of the global TB burden, with 378,000 deaths and 2.7 million new infections in the region in 2024. Despite these figures, WHO data indicate significant progress over the past decade, including a 46 percent drop in TB deaths and a 28 percent decline in incidence between 2015 and 2024. Countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia have achieved notable reductions, with South Africa meeting its 2025 incidence target and others recording 75 percent fewer TB deaths. These gains stem from strengthened national programs, wider adoption of effective treatments, and increased community participation, according to WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi.

In Nigeria, where an estimated 510,000 TB cases occur annually, including 61,000 among children and young...