WHO reboots global effort to end tuberculosis

An estimated 1.4 million fewer people received care for tuberculosis (TB) in 2020 than in 2019, according to preliminary data compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) from over 80 countries- a reduction of 21 per cent from 2019. The countries with the biggest relative gaps were Indonesia (42 per cent), South Africa (41 per cent), the Philippines (37 per cent) and India (25 per cent). Many people who have TB are unable to access the care they need. WHO fears that over half a million more people may have died from TB in 2020, simply because they were unable to obtain a diagnosis. New guidance issued by WHO aims to help countries identify the specific needs of communities, the populations at highest risk of TB, and the locations most affected to ensure people can access the most appropriate prevention and care services. This can be achieved through more systematic use of screening approaches that employ novel tools.