African region records further decline in Tuberculosis (TB) deaths, cases
The highest number of tuberculosis (TB) deaths in Africa since 2015, despite the lack of key milestones, significantly lowered the burden on the disease and ended its health and life impact.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report, between 2015 and 2023, the death toll from tuberculosis fell by 42%, while cases fell by 24% during the same period.
The main reason for the decrease is the increased efforts of countries to strengthen case testing and provide treatment, thus avoiding deaths. In 2023, about 1.9 million cases were found, compared with 1.4 million in 2020. During the same period, treatment coverage in the region increased from 55% to 74%.
This year, World TB Day is the theme of “Yes! We Can End Tuberculosis: Invest, Invest, Delivery”, which calls for urgent action to turn commitments into tangible impacts. It highlights the need for strong investment and decisive measures to expand interventions who recommend it to early detection, diagnosis, preventive treatment and high-quality tuberculosis care.
Compared with the 2015 level, the WHO END TB strategy requires countries to reduce TB deaths and cases by 75% and 50%, respectively.
Several African countries have made significant progress. Between 2015 and 2023, South Africa’s TB incidence fell by 50%, making it the first country in the region to exceed a 2025 milestone.
Mozambique, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia have also reached their 2025 target, which is a 75% reduction in tuberculosis deaths. Other countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda, followed closely with a mortality rate drop of 66% or more.
In the subregion, East and Southern Africa have been the main drivers of tuberculosis reduction, reducing the incidence from 466 people to 100,000,000 between 2000 and 2023. In Central and West Africa, TB morbidity and mortality remain worrying.
Despite the progress, there are still some challenges that need to be overcome. One of the most pressing issues is the limited chance of rapid diagnosis of disorders in only 54% of TB patients. While this marks only 24% in 2015 (with nearly doubled coverage over 10 years), it is not enough to curb the spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains.
The burden of MDR-TB persists, with more than half of the cases undiagnosed and untreated in 2023.
TB also imposes a serious financial burden. For Africa, nearly 68% of households affected by tuberculosis, the cost of seeking treatment is disastrous. Many families face high medical expenses, loss of income and insufficient social protection, which hinder compliance and complete recovery.
Low funding continues to hinder TB control efforts at the national and regional levels. The African region needs $4.5 billion per year to use full tuberculosis services, but only $900 million is available at present, leaving the $3.6 billion gap. Without urgent investment, many people will not be able to achieve life-threatening interventions.
He continues to support the country in strengthening tuberculosis control and contribute to global efforts to oppose the disease. This includes working with national rapid diagnosis and updated treatment guidelines, consistent with the United Nations High-level Conference Political Declaration for TB in 2023.
To meet global goals, urgent actions are needed to close diagnostic gaps, increase funding and expand access to treatment and prevention.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office in Africa.
