World TB Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness about the devastating impact of tuberculosis and to accelerate global efforts to eliminate the disease. TB remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases, causing severe health, social, and economic consequences. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 3,400 people lose their lives to TB every day, and nearly 30,000 people contract the disease daily. Additionally, TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV and a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance.
The theme for World TB Day 2025, “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” underscores the urgency of coordinated action, sustainable investments, and accountability to eliminate TB as a public health threat. This day serves as a platform for global health leaders, policymakers, and advocates to reaffirm their commitment to combating TB and to mobilize resources for effective interventions.
The Need for Increased Investment in TB Programs
Despite its devastating impact, TB remains severely underfunded. WHO reports highlight a persistent financial gap that threatens progress toward the goal of ending TB by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Global Plan to End TB (2023-2030) estimates that at least thirteen billion dollars ($13 billion) is needed annually to bridge this gap. However, current funding levels fall significantly short, with many countries heavily relying on external donors rather than securing sustainable domestic financing.
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation, an organization dedicated to ensuring access to essential healthcare, stresses the importance of scaling up investments in TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.The organization advocates for comprehensive financial support, emphasizing that investing in TB programs yields substantial health and economic benefits. Delaying action and funding now will lead to a heavier burden in the future, both in terms of human lives and economic costs.
To accelerate TB elimination, governments, international donors, and private sector stakeholders must prioritize increasing financial contributions toward TB programs. The upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on TB in September 2025 offers a critical opportunity for countries to pledge stronger financial commitments and integrate TB interventions into national health strategies. Global health financing mechanisms, such as The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and the Stop TB Partnership, play a crucial role in mobilizing resources. However, progress in combating TB remains slow and insufficient without increased contributions from high-burden countries and sustained international support. Strengthening locally generated funds is also essential to ensuring long-term financial sustainability. This can be achieved through innovative domestic financing strategies, such as public-private partnerships, tax-based health funds, and social health insurance schemes. By increasing national investments and fostering community-driven financing initiatives, countries can reduce reliance on external funding and accelerate efforts to eliminate TB.
Ensuring Accountability and Effective Utilization of Funds
Beyond securing financial commitments, transparency and accountability in TB financing are essential. Governments and organizations must ensure that allocated funds are effectively utilized to:
- Expand access to TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
- Strengthen healthcare infrastructure and community-based interventions.
- Support research and development of new TB diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments.
- Implement rigorous monitoring mechanisms to prevent mis-allocation of resources and enhance program efficiency.
Establishing independent auditing systems and promoting community participation in oversight mechanisms can help track funding utilization and ensure that resources reach those most in need. Also, the recent withdrawal of funding support by the United States through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and other international funding mechanisms has led to a significant reduction in resources for tuberculosis programs. This development has created major funding gaps, including within the World Health Organization and other global initiatives, resulting in disruptions to critical healthcare interventions. Given the urgency of the situation, there is a pressing need to enhance domestic resource mobilization to mitigate the impact, ensure continuity of care, and save lives. The global significance of this shift underscores the importance of strengthening sustainable local funding mechanisms.
A Future Without TB: Turning Commitment into Action
Tuberculosis (TB) is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other organs, such as the kidneys, spine, and brain. It spreads from person to person through airborne particles released when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or speaks. If left untreated, TB can lead to severe complications, organ damage, and even death. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB continues to pose a major global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare services is limited.
The disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including individuals with weakened immune systems, malnourished individuals, and those living in crowded or unsanitary conditions. With the right investments and global collaboration, TB can be eliminated within a generation. On World TB Day 2025, governments, donors, private sector partners, and civil society organizations are urged to translate commitments into concrete actions. By increasing funding, enhancing healthcare systems, and ensuring equitable access to treatment, we can save millions of lives, reduce poverty, and strengthen global health security. The time to act is now. Together, we can end TB.
PLAN Foundation is a member of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the World Patients Alliance (WPA), the International AIDS Society (IAS), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the Stop TB Partnership, the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO), the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (IUATLD), the Global Health Council (GHC), as well as various other relevant regional and global networks, movements, and professional associations aligned with its vision of a Nigeria where the individual, family, and community are adequately empowered to protect themselves against poverty, underdevelopment, and the spread of diseases.
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Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer,
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation)
+2348038320421
ifedayo@planfoundation.org.ng
