WHO Warns of Funding Shortfalls Endangering Global Tuberculosis Battle

Tuberculosis (TB) is once more receiving global attention as the World Health Organization (WHO) cautions that years of advancement in comba...

Tuberculosis (TB) is once more receiving global attention as the World Health Organization (WHO) cautions that years of advancement in combating this fatal illness may be reversed due to significant financial shortages and uneven availability of treatment.

In its latest Global Tuberculosis Report 2025, published today, WHO states that tuberculosis remains a major cause of death, claiming more than 1.2 million lives annually and infecting approximately 10.7 million individuals, even though it is both preventable and treatable.

The report highlights that although there has been noticeable advancement in diagnosis, therapy, and medical breakthroughs, ongoing financial disparities and unequal access to healthcare services risk undoing the significant global achievements made so far.

"Decreases in the worldwide impact of TB, along with advancements in testing, treatment, social support, and research are all positive developments following years of challenges, but progress alone does not equate to success," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.

It is utterly unacceptable that tuberculosis still takes more than a million lives annually, even though it can be prevented and treated.

The report indicates that from 2023 to 2024, the number of global TB cases dropped by almost 2 percent, with deaths decreasing by 3 percent, reflecting a consistent recovery following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The WHO African Region saw a 28 percent decrease in TB incidence and a 46 percent drop in deaths between 2015 and 2024, whereas the European Region made even more significant advancements.

Nevertheless, 87 percent of new tuberculosis cases in 2024 were found in only 30 countries, where India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Bangladesh contributed to over two-thirds of the worldwide disease load.

WHO attributes improvements in diagnosis and treatment—such as 8.3 million more individuals receiving care and better outcomes for drug-resistant TB—to ongoing innovation and international cooperation.

Although there have been some improvements, the report highlights concerns about an escalating financial crisis. In 2024, only US$5.9 billion was allocated for tuberculosis prevention, detection, and care—just a quarter of the $22 billion required each year by 2027. Funding for research is also restricted, with a total of $1.2 billion reported in 2023.

WHO warns that ongoing reductions in donor funding might result in two million more deaths and 10 million new infections between 2025 and 2035 if immediate steps are not implemented.

"At a critical point in the battle against TB," stated Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, head of the WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis, and STIs.

Reductions in funding and ongoing factors contributing to the epidemic risk reversing progress made, but through political will, continuous investment, and international cooperation, we can change the course and eradicate this long-standing disease completely.

The 2025 report urges governments, international donors, and the private sector to increase funding for tuberculosis services, enhance healthcare systems, and focus on improving access to treatment in countries with the highest disease prevalence.

The WHO states that achieving the goal of ending TB by 2030, as committed to through the Sustainable Development Goals, is still possible only if the increasing financial shortfall is addressed before it turns into a severe crisis.

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