World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has emphasized the urgent need to invest in research and development for new tools, including vaccines and advanced diagnostics, to combat tuberculosis (TB) in Africa.
She delivered this plea in her address on Sunday in observance of this year’s World Tuberculosis Day.
Dr Moeti underscored the imperative of accelerating progress towards ending the scourge of TB, highlighting its persistent status as the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, surpassing the toll of HIV/AIDS. Quoting the latest report, she disclosed that approximately 2.5 million individuals contracted TB in the region in 2022 alone, equating to one person every 13 seconds.
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Furthermore, Dr Moeti lamented the staggering number of TB-related deaths in 2022, reaching 424,000, which translates to the loss of one life every minute. This grim reality persists despite the preventable and treatable nature of TB.
“These figures underscore the urgency of our collective action in addressing the ongoing TB epidemic and highlight the need for sustained efforts to end it,” she remarked.
The WHO regional director urged all member states to prioritise a multi-faceted approach that tackles the root causes of the disease while reinforcing efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. She implored health leaders to heighten their commitment to strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access to TB care, and expanding innovative interventions.
Additionally, Dr Moeti stressed the necessity for countries to prioritise addressing the social determinants of TB, such as poverty, inequality, and limited healthcare access, in order to achieve sustainable outcomes. She emphasised that collaboration across sectors and borders is paramount in combatting this global health challenge.
