Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
In 2023 alone, the region recorded 936,000 new TB cases and nearly 86,000 deaths.
Every 34 seconds, someone falls ill with tuberculosis, and every six minutes, another life is lost.
These deaths are avoidable because TB is a curable disease.
In our region, treatment programmes have a success rate of over 90%, but 3 out of 10 cases remain undetected and untreated, less than half of new patients use rapid molecular tests that can detect resistance to antibiotics, and preventive treatment remains rare.
All of this fuels transmission and impedes tuberculosis control.
On World Tuberculosis Day, I urge Member States to take decisive action.
First, commit: Strengthen political commitment and leadership to end TB through robust national strategies.
Second, invest: Increase domestic funding and international collaboration for TB control programmes.
And third, deliver: Scale up WHO-recommended interventions―including early detection, diagnosis, preventive treatment, and high-quality care.
Act now. Invest now. Deliver now.
Together, yes we can end TB.
