WHO Warns of Potential Collapse in Global Tuberculosis Efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the ongoing fight against tuberculosis (TB), highlighting a potential collapse in efforts to control this deadly infectious disease. Despite advancements in treatment and prevention, TB remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, claiming approximately 1.5 million lives each year.

Since the year 2000, early diagnosis and effective treatment have saved an estimated 79 million lives. However, the WHO has expressed deep concern about the significant decline in development aid, which is essential for sustaining TB programs in low-income countries. This alarming trend was underscored on World Tuberculosis Day, as health experts pointed to the ramifications of reduced funding on global health.

Notably, the United States has frozen billions of dollars in foreign assistance, a move that has reverberated through TB control initiatives. Other nations, including the United Kingdom and Germany, have also announced cuts to their development aid budgets in recent years. The WHO has reported that 27 countries are at risk of experiencing a breakdown in their TB programs due to insufficient financial resources. This funding shortfall threatens the ability to test for TB, identify and treat cases, and monitor the disease's spread effectively.

Health officials warn that without adequate funding, the number of TB infections is likely to rise. Nine countries are already facing difficulties in procuring necessary medications, exacerbating the crisis. The financial challenges associated with TB control are not new; in 2023, only a quarter of the $22 billion needed for effective TB programs was secured, according to WHO estimates.

In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reports a steady number of TB cases, with 816 cases recorded by mid-March 2025, a slight decrease compared to 912 cases during the same period the previous year. TB is primarily spread through tiny droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs, speaks, or sneezes. The disease can be prevented and is treatable if detected early.

Concerns are growing in the WHO European Region, which includes 53 countries from the European Union to Central Asia. The organization has noted a 10% increase in TB cases among children under 15 years old, a troubling trend that could indicate broader issues within public health systems. In 2023, children accounted for 4.3% of newly diagnosed TB cases in the region. In Germany, this figure represented 5.4% of all reported TB cases, totaling 242 instances.

Across the European Union, along with Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, approximately 37,000 new TB cases were diagnosed in 2023, reflecting a nearly 6% increase from the previous year. The WHO's findings underline the urgent need for renewed commitment and funding to combat tuberculosis effectively and prevent further loss of life.