ABUJA, Nigeria – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that global progress against tuberculosis (TB) is at risk due to chronic funding shortages and unequal healthcare access.
According to the WHO Global TB Report 2025, TB claimed 1.2 million lives in 2024, infecting 10.7 million people worldwide.
Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Progress is welcome, but not victory. TB remains preventable and curable — yet continues to kill.”
While TB cases declined 2 percent and deaths 3 percent in 2024, WHO warned that only $5.9 billion was available for TB programmes — just a quarter of the $22 billion annual target.
WHO’s global TB lead, Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, said sustained political commitment and funding are crucial to avoid reversing gains made since 2000, when 83 million lives were saved through early diagnosis and treatment.
WHO called for domestic financing, social protection, and stronger multisectoral action to end TB by 2030.
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