Despite progress, tuberculosis still kills thousands across Africa—but WHO says the tools to end it already exist.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has renewed its call for urgent action to end tuberculosis (TB) as a public health threat in Africa by 2030, urging governments to step up investment, commitment, and accountability.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Mohamed Janabi made the appeal ahead of World Tuberculosis Day 2026, stressing that the fight against TB must now move faster and more aggressively.
This year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” highlights the need for stronger political will and funding to close existing gaps in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Janabi warned that TB remains a major killer in the region, claiming one life every 83 seconds, with Africa recording about 378,000 deaths and 2.7 million infections in 2024 alone.
He noted that many cases still go undetected, while funding shortages continue to slow down progress despite improvements in recent years.
However, he said there is still hope, pointing out that TB deaths in Africa have dropped by 46% since 2015, while incidence has reduced by 28%, showing that progress is possible with sustained effort.
Countries like South Africa have already met global targets for reducing TB incidence, while Mozambique and Tanzania are also making steady progress.
The WHO official stressed that ending TB will require strong national leadership, increased domestic and international funding, and active community participation.
He added that community-led interventions remain key to ensuring early detection, better treatment access, and stronger health outcomes across the continent.
Ultimately, WHO says the goal is clear—but achieving it will depend on how quickly countries act now.
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