CAIRO: The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call for urgent and sustained action to combat the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, highlighting the theme of this year’s World Tuberculosis Day: “Yes! We can end TB! Led by countries. Powered by people.” With TB remaining a significant public health concern, the WHO emphasized the need for increased efforts to reverse the epidemic’s trajectory.
According to World Health Organization, in 2024 alone, the Eastern Mediterranean Region saw an estimated 920,000 new TB cases and nearly 85,000 deaths, with a third of cases going undetected in countries such as Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Dr. Hanan Balkhy, noted that late diagnoses, service gaps, and treatment interruptions are exacerbating the situation, leading to increased transmission and drug resistance.
The WHO reports that significant gaps persist in the TB care cascade, with only 30% of drug-resistant cases receiving treatment and preventive treatment coverage remaining low. Despite these challenges, progress has been made, with over 2.8 million TB cases diagnosed and successfully treated from 2020 to 2024, resulting in a treatment success rate exceeding 90%.
However, Dr. Balkhy cautioned that this progress is fragile and emphasized the need for sustained investment and accountability. The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 indicates a declining TB burden, yet the decline is slow and progress uneven. The theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2026 serves as a call to action, urging governments, partners, and communities to intensify efforts to raise awareness, strengthen prevention and care services, and commit to ending TB.
To expand access to TB diagnosis, the WHO has issued three recommendations in 2026, including the rollout of near point-of-care molecular tests, the use of tongue swab specimens, and the adoption of sputum pooling strategies. These innovations aim to reach underserved populations and ensure earlier diagnosis and treatment, particularly in areas with limited laboratory access.
WHO underscores the importance of high-level political commitment and support to address challenges such as securing sustainable financing, addressing multidrug resistance, and fostering public-private partnerships. The organization continues to work closely with countries, partners, and civil society to scale up the TB response and bring elimination targets within reach.