On 24 March 2026, the world observes World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with the theme “Yes! We can End TB! Led by countries. Powered by people”, an affirmation that with decisive country leadership, renewed investments in health, and strong commitments to innovation, action, and collaboration especially with TB survivors and affected communities — we will achieve TB elimination for good.

We have the tools to cure and prevent TB, yet it remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. In 2024, 10.7 million people fell ill with active TB and 1.23 million people died of TB1 . TB continues to be a serious public health threat in the Asia Pacific, which bears over two-thirds of the global TB burden and accounts for the top five countries most affected by the TB epidemic2 . TB is also the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, who are 12 times more vulnerable to serious TB infection than HIV-negative persons. Furthermore, drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) is a growing, urgent, and deadly concern due to challenges in diagnosis and treatment, with Asia Pacific accounting for 67%3 of the 394,000 people who fell ill in 2024.

Since 2000, collective global efforts to end TB have saved over 79 million lives. However, rising rates of conflict, climate change, and other humanitarian crises — coupled with mounting fiscal pressures — now threaten these remarkable health gains and risk unravelling decades of hard-won progress. At this critical juncture, we urge world leaders to uphold and act on strong commitments made in the second UN highlevel meeting on TB4 , and call for renewed leadership, political will, and investments to get back on track to end TB as a global health threat by 2035.

“In 2024, global funding for TB programmes fell short by USD$16.1 billion of the requisite amount, putting decades of advancements in disease control and millions of families at serious risk. This funding gap is not just a financial shortfall — it is a direct threat to lives and global health security,” said Atul Shendge, Program Officer at the Global Coalition of TB Advocates (GCTA). “History shows us that uncontrolled TB carries not only a heavy human and moral cost, but also represents a major threat to countries’ productive workforces and national security. Strong political leadership is needed more now than ever to renew investments in essential TB prevention, diagnosis and care — which protects our economies, communities, and secures a healthier future for all.”