The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that in 2022, more than 2.5 million individuals in Africa contracted tuberculosis (TB), equivalent to one person every 13 seconds, according to Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, in her message commemorating World TB Day.
Dr. Moeti highlighted that the number of TB-related deaths in 2022 amounted to 424,000, resulting in one life lost every minute, despite TB being preventable and treatable.
She added that the region’s support for member states in their fight against TB, citing strategic directions, monitoring tool development, and initiatives such as the African tuberculosis scorecard with the African Union, aimed at advancing progress towards the End TB Strategy.
Dr. Moeti underscored WHO’s dedication to generating and sharing knowledge on effective TB control methods, updating treatment guidelines, and expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools.
Acknowledging the importance of regional cooperation, she encouraged knowledge exchange and collaborative efforts across countries, emphasising the significance of eliminating TB as a public health threat in Africa.
Dr. Moeti celebrated the region’s milestone achievement of diagnosing 70% of TB patients, marking a substantial reduction in missed cases and bringing the region closer to its elimination goal.
Despite commendable reductions in tuberculosis deaths and incidence rates between 2015 and 2022, Dr. Moeti noted that these achievements fell short of the targets set by the End TB Strategy for 2025, highlighting the need for intensified efforts to meet these ambitious goals.
She urged stakeholders to join WHO’s efforts by providing resources, enhancing community engagement, conducting research, and forming private-sector partnerships, emphasising the importance of a multi-faceted approach to address TB challenges and achieve its elimination as a public health threat in Africa.