Study Shows Investing in Tuberculosis Prevention is a Sound Economic Decision
Investing in tuberculosis screening and preventive treatment can yield significant health and economic benefits, with a potential return of up to US$ 39 for every dollar invested. The study’s findings provide a compelling investment case for scaling up TB screening and preventive treatment, aligning with the targets set at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. The study aims to empower countries to advocate for increased resources and support the expansion of TB control and prevention efforts, serving as a blueprint for similar settings with comparable epidemiological contexts.
World TB Day 2024: Bridging the Gap in TB Program Implementation and Fostering Supportive Environments
World TB Day 2024 focuses on the significant gap in TB program implementation and the need for a more empathetic approach towards individuals affected by tuberculosis. Dr. Ghulam Nabi Kazi emphasizes the critical role of healthcare professionals and caregivers in addressing the challenges faced by TB patients. With a quarter of the world’s population infected with TB bacteria, including a high burden in Pakistan, it is crucial to address the prevalence of latent TB and provide targeted preventive treatment and comprehensive care strategies.
World TB Day 2024: ‘Yes! We can end TB!’
World TB Day 2024 focuses on the theme ‘Yes! We can end TB!’ and highlights the need for high-level leadership, increased investments, and faster adoption of new recommendations from the WHO. The organization will release an investment case to aid countries in scaling up the roll-out of TB preventive treatment. The South-East Asia Region, home to a quarter of the world’s population, carries over 45% of the annual TB burden, leading to a high-level ministerial meeting and the ‘Gandhinagar Declaration’ to reinvigorate political commitment towards ending TB.
Covid-19 pandemic reverses two decades of progress in fight against tuberculosis
The Covid-19 pandemic has reversed two decades of progress in the fight against tuberculosis, with global deaths from TB increasing for the first time in almost a decade. The pandemic-induced lockdowns, disruptions in healthcare, and the redirection of resources have hampered active case finding, diagnosis, and treatment, leading to a reversal of gains made in recent years. Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains staggeringly widespread, with almost one-quarter of the world’s population infected with the TB bacteria.