WHO Warns of Setbacks in Global Tuberculosis Fight

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning about significant funding cuts, particularly by the United States, which threaten to undo decades of progress in combating tuberculosis (TB), the world’s most lethal infectious disease.

The organization highlighted those crucial services, including prevention, testing, and treatment, are now at risk of collapsing, endangering millions of lives.

The impact of these funding reductions is particularly severe in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, where tuberculosis programs heavily depend on international aid.

Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global Programme on Tuberculosis and Lung Health, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that any interruptions to tuberculosis-related services, whether financial, political, or operational, could have catastrophic consequences for millions around the globe.

Adding to the concerns, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently drew attention to the wider implications of these budget cuts, emphasizing how they affect major health programs targeting diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and cholera. Over the past twenty years, global efforts to combat tuberculosis have yielded remarkable results, saving more than 79 million lives and averting approximately 3.65 million deaths in the past year alone.

A large portion of this success has been attributed to funding from the United States, which has annually contributed between $200 million and $250 million, accounting for nearly a quarter of total international donor funding. The U.S. has historically been the largest bilateral contributor to tuberculosis-related initiatives.

However, recent U.S. executive orders have introduced significant budget cuts for 2025, with grave implications for tuberculosis efforts in at least 18 high-burden countries. These nations had been earmarked to receive 89 percent of the anticipated U.S. funding for patient care. Africa is particularly vulnerable, with disruptions in treatment and health worker layoffs expected to drive a rapid increase in tuberculosis transmission rates.

Reports from affected regions already reveal dire consequences, such as health worker redundancies, medication shortages, breakdowns in supply chains, failures in surveillance systems, and a decline in tuberculosis research funding.

Kasaeva stressed that the progress made in combating tuberculosis over the years is now in jeopardy. She called for immediate action to safeguard the most vulnerable populations and maintain momentum in the fight against the disease, urging for a collective response that is swift, strategic, and sufficiently resourced.

WHO reaffirmed its dedication to supporting governments and global partners during this challenging period. In her message, Kasaeva emphasized WHO’s unwavering commitment to assisting national governments, civil society, and international organizations in securing funding and adopting integrated solutions to protect those most at risk of tuberculosis.