World TB Day commemorates the revelation by Dr Robert Koch – in the year 1882 – that he had found the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), which laid the groundwork for its detection and eventual treatment. Every year on March 24th, people worldwide celebrate and observe World TB Day. This celebration is to continue TB awareness as it remains one of the deadliest and greatest infectious killer diseases in the world, and the catastrophic effects that it has on peoples’ health, social lives, and economic well-being.
The theme “Yes! We can end TB!” speaks to improvements in the domains of leadership, financing, uptake and implementation of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and multi-sector approach in the fight against the TB epidemic. Significant to this year, it encouraged and implored countries to ramp-up progress in preparation for the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB scheduled for September. The meeting aims for national governments increased political will and commitment to ending TB.
Although being preventable and treatable, WHO reports that 1.6 million people died from TB in 2021, and over 10 million people contracted the disease in 2021. TB is the most common cause of death among HIV-positive individuals as well as a significant factor in the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). World TB Day provides an opportunity to draw attention to those who are impacted by the disease and to demand swift action and corrective measures to eradicate TB.
The severe inequalities and discrepancies that still exist in managing TB across and between countries were compounded especially at the onset and peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accessing healthcare for people with TB was difficult and the majority are the economically disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised people. To alleviate healthcare disparities for persons with TB as well as other diseases, WHO is urging international collaboration.
An online talk show was hosted by WHO in celebration of World TB Day. More resources for World TB Day can be found here and in this spirit, #YesWeCanEndTB
by Zenande Mgijima, PHA4GE intern
