Prof Guy Marks, President of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union)
“It is important to take a moment to be proud of the progress made in 2024, which is testament to the inspiring commitment of frontline healthcare professional and community teams working in the most challenging environments. However, we must recognise that we are still not on track to achieve our targets to end TB, and any positive trends are now at risk of being undone due to the devastating impact of the funding cuts.
“The fact that tuberculosis remains the world’s leading infectious killer is a total injustice and global health failure. There are no more excuses.
“This necessitates an urgent review of the current end TB strategy, in order to prioritise critical interventions that will finally break the chain of transmission. This needs to happen imminently if we are to avoid any further derailment of progress, given the ever decreasing funding pool. It is time for governments to strengthen domestic funding and focus resources on evidence-based strategies that deliver the greatest impact on incidence rates of TB.
“It is encouraging to see newer innovations in treatment and prevention being scaled up, but if we are to truly turn the tide we need to effectively implement existing recommendations with more urgency, such as rapid molecular diagnostic testing. A WHO-recommended rapid molecular test was only used for 54% of the 8.3 million people newly diagnosed with TB in 2024. This is unacceptable.
“During the Union World Conference on Lung Health next week, we will discuss the latest advancements made in TB diagnostics, including a new, near point-of-care test class which aims to address historical challenges with access to testing for everyone.
“This new report suggests that countries have established health systems that are able to stabilise and control TB. Now we must support them to focus on elimination, through the prioritisation of finding and treating everyone with TB – not just those who present with symptoms. This is the only way to stop more people from being exposed, becoming infected, and infecting others. This is how we end TB once and for all.”
ENDS
Notes to editor
About The Union
Established in 1920, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) is committed to a healthier world for all, free of tuberculosis and lung disease.
The Union is the leading global scientific organisation, striving to end suffering due to tuberculosis and lung diseases by advancing better prevention and care. It seeks to achieve this by the generation, dissemination, and implementation of knowledge into policy and practice.
Its world-leading members, staff and consultants are at the forefront of the fight against TB and lung disease.
The Union’s approach to tackling global health problems is unique – KNOW. SHARE. ACT. We start with developing knowledge through global research (KNOW), which we then share as widely as possible (SHARE) and turn that into the real action to save lives on a local level (ACT).
The Union aims to ensure that no one is left behind, people are treated equally and we have a focus on vulnerable and marginalised populations and communities.
The Union’s work is exemplified by its core values of quality, transparency, accountability, respect, and independence.
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