The World Health Organization has called on Member countries in South-East Asia Region to build on the momentum created to end TB with accelerated multi-sectoral efforts led by the highest political level to reach every affected and at risk person, and address the socio-economic determinants and impact of the disease.

“A primary health care-based approach that addresses TB determinants such as undernutrition, embraces new technologies including developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence, and has communities and affected populations at the center of all efforts, should be among the key elements of our reinvigorated approach,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.

According to the Global TB Report 2024 published by the WHO, more than 3.8 million people were initiated on TB treatment in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2023, the highest ever and nearly 1.3 million more than in the year 2020 impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimated percentage of people with TB, missed by the programme, declined to 22% from 44% in 2020.

As per the report, the estimated number of deaths due to TB declined to 583 000 in 2023, after a peak of 763 000 in 2021.

However, the Region continues to account for a disproportionate 45% of the global TB burden with an estimated over 5 million people developing the disease in 2023, and over half of TB deaths globally in 2023.