2 weeks Ago By Ethiopian Monitor
The UN Health agency says Africa has recorded the steepest decline globally in tuberculosis (TB) deaths since 2015, despite falling short of key milestones to significantly lower the burden of the disease and end its toll on health and lives.The World Health Organization (WHO) released the Global TB Report 2024 on n the eve of the annual World Tuberculosis Day observed on 24 March to amplify the urgency of ending the deadliest infectious disease globally.The report says the African region saw deaths from TB fall by 42% between 2015 and 2023 while cases declined by 24% over the same period.
The reduction attributed mainly to increased efforts by countries to reinforce case detection and provision of treatment, thus averting deaths.About 1.9 million cases were detected in 2023 compared with 1.
4 million in 2020. Over the same period, the report says treatment coverage rose from 55% to 74% across the region.South Africa Records Biggest Reduction in TB casesThe WHO End TB Strategy calls for countries to reduce TB deaths and cases by 75% and 50% respectively by 2025, compared with 2015 levels.
South Africa has become the first country in the continent to surpass the 2025 milestone ahead of schedule, achieving a 50% reduction in TB incidence between 2015 and 2023.Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia have also already met the 2025 goal of a 75% reduction in TB deaths. Other countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda are close behind, with mortality reductions of 66% or more.
At a sub-regional level, Eastern and Southern Africa has been the main driver of TB reduction, cutting incidence from 466 to 266 per 100 000 between 2000 and 2023. Progress has been slower in Central and West Africa, where TB incidence and mortality remain a concern.Multidrug-resistant TB strains remain concernDespite progress in reducing TB incidence and mortality rates, several challenges still need to be overcome.
The WHO report says one of “the most pressing issues” is limited access to rapid diagnostics, which currently reach only 54% of TB patients.While this marks a significant improvement from just 24% in 2015 – nearly doubling coverage in 10 years – access is insufficient to curb the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB strains.“The burden of MDR-TB persists, with more than half of these cases undiagnosed and untreated in 2023,” the WHO Report indicates.
The disease also imposes a severe economic burden as many families face high out-of-pocket medical expenses, loss of income and inadequate social protection, hindering adherence and full recovery.The report finds the cost of seeking treatment catastrophic for nearly 68% of TB-affected households in Africa.Low funding continues to impede TB control efforts at national and regional levels.
The WHO estimates that the region requires US$ 4.5 billion annually for comprehensive TB services. Yet, only US$ 0.
9 billion is currently available, leaving a US$ 3.6-billion gap.“Without urgent investment, life-saving interventions will remain out of reach for many,” the UN health agency stresses, adding: “To meet the global targets, urgent action is required to close the diagnostic gap, increase funding, and expand access to treatment and prevention.
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