Despite being preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the number one infectious disease killer.
In 2023, an estimated 10.8 million people fell ill with TB worldwide and 1.25 million people died from the disease.
If the world seizes the opportunity of recent successes – renewed political commitment, strong results, and a combination of price reductions and new innovations – we can reinforce global health security and make a decisive shift toward ending this age-old disease.
Investing in the fight against TB reinforces global health security. The Global Fund is the largest external source of financing for drug-resistant TB – an ever-growing global threat and a major cause of death from antimicrobial resistance worldwide – in low- and middle-income countries.
Failing to invest to end TB means that the world will face an even more dire global health crisis. TB does not respect borders. The spread of TB anywhere poses huge risks for everyone, everywhere.
With a robust Eighth Replenishment, the Global Fund could reduce TB incidence and mortality rates by 32% and 60% respectively (between 2023 and 2029) in countries where the Global Fund invests.
TB has threatened humanity for too long. We must defeat this deadly disease together.
#WorldTBDay #HealthierFuture #DefeatTB
Table of Contents
State of the Fight Against TB
Key Messages
Stories of the Fight
- Champa and Rekha: Fighting Tuberculosis Through Fear and Floods in Bangladesh (English and Français)
- Chest Camps in Pakistan Bring TB Services to the People (English and Français)
- My Story: Oxana Rucsineau, Moldova (English and Français)
- My Story: Abdul Qadr, Iraq (English and Français)
Social Media Messages
Multimedia
Data Explorer
Resources:
The fight against TB has unprecedented momentum. If the world seizes the opportunity of recent successes, we can reinforce global health security and make a decisive shift toward ending this age-old disease.
State of the Fight: Tuberculosis
Scaling up progress in the fight against TB is crucial to win the battle against this disease. We must bring focused testing, treatment and care services to the people who most need them.
- The Global Fund provides 76% of all international financing to fight TB.
- The Global Fund has invested US$10.1 billion in programs to prevent and care for people with TB (as of 31 October 2024).
Key tuberculosis results in countries where the Global Fund invests:
- 7.1 million people were treated for TB in 2023.
- 121,000 people were on treatment for drug-resistant TB in 2023.
- 353,000 TB patients living with HIV were on antiretroviral therapy during TB treatment in 2023.
Investing in the fight against tuberculosis reinforces global health security.
Key Messages
The fight against TB has unprecedented momentum. If the world seizes the opportunity of recent successes – renewed political commitment, strong results, and a combination of price reductions and new innovations – we can reinforce global health security and make a decisive shift toward ending this age-old disease.
Despite being preventable and curable, tuberculosis (TB) continues to be the number one infectious killer and among the top 10 leading causes of all deaths worldwide. In 2023, an estimated 10.8 million people fell ill with TB worldwide and 1.25 million people died from the disease. Decreasing investments in the fight against TB will jeopardize the lives of millions more.
Investing in the fight against TB reinforces global health security. The Global Fund is the largest external source of financing for drug-resistant TB – an ever-growing global threat and a major cause of death from antimicrobial resistance worldwide – in low- and middle-income countries. It is essential to continue investing in programs to fight drug-resistant TB and prevent it from spreading across the globe.
Many of the countries most affected by TB are demonstrating huge determination to beat this disease. Political commitment and leadership to end TB has increased in recent years, with more domestic funding in countries, stronger national TB programs and greater engagement of the private sector.
The Global Fund partnership provides 76% of all international financing for TB programs. The Global Fund supports countries in delivering cost-effective TB interventions, rolling out patient-friendly treatment regimens, and expanding screening and diagnostics. Our investments in TB programs are also strengthening health and community systems, making them more resilient and inclusive.
Innovations including improved diagnostics, better treatments and a broader range of long-acting preventive tools are accelerating progress against TB, and there is an exciting pipeline of new innovations on the horizon. Investing in these lifesaving advancements brings us closer to a future where TB is no longer a global health threat.
At a time of unprecedented momentum, there is also unprecedented risk. Failing to invest to end TB means that the world will face an even more dire global health crisis. TB does not respect borders. The spread of TB anywhere poses huge risks for everyone, everywhere.
With a robust Eighth Replenishment, the Global Fund could reduce TB incidence and mortality rates by 32% and 60% respectively (between 2023 and 2029) in countries where we invest; treat 46.8 million people with first-line drugs and 1.1 million with second-line drugs between 2024 and 2029; and increase treatment coverage of TB patients to more than 95% by 2029.
When we fight TB, we fight other deadly diseases and prepare for the next pandemic. The same lab workers, diagnostic machines, supply chains, primary health care facilities, disease surveillance capabilities, and community health workers that fight TB prepare the world for future health threats.
Champa and Rekha: Fighting Tuberculosis Through Fear and Floods in Bangladesh
When Cyclone Remal struck Bangladesh in 2024, community health worker Champa Tidakar's first thought was saving her patients' TB medicine as her home collapsed around her. Her neighbor Rekha Goldar helped evacuate her family to a school shelter, where they huddled with others for 15 days.
Despite waist-high floodwaters, Champa continued delivering TB medications to her community. Months later, when seasonal rains brought more flooding, Rekha developed a persistent cough. Champa collected a sputum sample, which confirmed TB. She immediately began supporting Rekha through treatment, providing both medicine and emotional comfort.
Bangladesh has the seventh-highest TB burden in the world, but the country’s response has been consistent and robust, with community health workers like Champa who serve as vital bridges connecting remote communities to healthcare. With support from the Global Fund and BRAC, Bangladesh has nearly tripled its TB detection rate since 2002, with 95% of patients recovering after treatment.
In October 2024, the Global Fund approved US$1.06 million to fortify and sustain health services in two districts in Bangladesh still recovering from multiple disasters. This was followed by an additional US$7.5 million to support projects designed to build stronger health systems, that are more resilient to the devastating health consequences of extreme weather events.
Social Media Post: Through floodwaters in Bangladesh, health worker Champa saved TB medications as her home collapsed. Later, she diagnosed and treated her neighbor Rekha. With @GlobalFund support, heroes like Champa connect remote communities to care. #DefeatTB #WorldTBDay https://globalfund.exposure.co/champa-and-rekha-fighting-tuberculosis-through-fear-and-floods-in-bangladesh
Chest Camps in Pakistan Bring TB Services to the People
“The doctor is coming to you – and the care they provide is free.”
In Pakistan, mobile "chest camps" are combating TB by bringing diagnostics and treatment directly to remote communities. The camps, operated by Mercy Corps, provide a community-focused place where people can safely access health services without stigma, discrimination or the logistical difficulties often faced by those in need.
With the Global Fund’s support, Mercy Corps now holds 600 camps per month across 100 districts and procured 25 portable X-ray machines that can fit on the backs of motorbikes to reach even more remote communities.
Social Media Post: Bringing TB care closer to home, mobile “chest camps” in Pakistan deliver diagnostics and treatment to remote communities to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against tuberculosis. #WorldTBDay #HealthierFuture https://globalfund.exposure.co/chest-camps-in-pakistan-bring-tb-services-to-the-people
My Story: Oxana Rucsineau, Moldova
“We are still here, and we are not giving up.”
Oxana Rucsineau contracted drug-resistant TB in her late twenties. Overcome with dizziness and fatigue, she was unable to work for three years while fighting the disease.
In 2010, Oxana with her husband Pavel, a drug-resistant TB survivor himself, founded the Society of Moldova against Tuberculosis (SMIT) to protect the rights of people affected by TB.
With support from the Global Fund and other partners, SMIT connects people with TB to comprehensive care – including legal and mental health services for those shunned or otherwise discriminated against because of the disease.
Social Media Post: As a TB survivor & co-founder of the Society of Moldova against Tuberculosis (SMIT), Oxana protects the rights of people affected by tuberculosis. SMIT connects TB patients with comprehensive care – including legal and mental health services – because no one should be denied the chance of a #HealthierFuture. #WorldTBDay https://globalfund.exposure.co/women-at-the-forefront-providing-vital-care-to-communities-caught-in-crises#section-5500971
My Story: Abdul Qadr, Iraq
“By bringing TB services into people’s homes, I help ensure they have easy and consistent access to the treatment and case they need to recover.”
Iraq is home to one of the region’s highest TB burdens. Abdul Qadr is a Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) worker bringing the newest treatments, support and care to the homes and communities of people living with TB.
This includes providing treatments for people with drug-resistant TB and helping them take the medications correctly. He delivers food, refers people with TB and their families to psychosocial support and accompanies people to medical appointments.
He also dispenses drinkable, cherry-flavored, kid-friendly TB medication to children.
Abdul works in the most vulnerable communities in Iraq and has seen firsthand how innovative screening and diagnostic tools are transforming the country’s fight against TB.
Social Media Post: Iraq is home to one of the region’s highest TB burdens. Abdul is a Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) worker bringing treatments, support and care to the homes of people living with TB. Abdul has seen firsthand how innovative screening and diagnostic tools are transforming the fight against TB. #WorldTBDay #HealthierFuture https://globalfund.exposure.co/equipped-with-cuttingedge-tools-heroic-health-workers-lead-the-charge-against-tb-in-iraq
Innovations are accelerating progress against TB. Investing in lifesaving advancements brings us closer to a future where TB is no longer a global health threat.
Multimedia Content and Social Media Messages
Social Media Messages
Today is #WorldTBDay. Tuberculosis is one of the world’s leading infectious disease killers. In 2023, TB killed 1.25 million people. This is unacceptable. We must accelerate the fight to #DefeatTB.
Investing in the fight against TB reinforces global health security. Investments in TB programs are fighting drug-resistance, strengthening health and community systems, and making them more resilient and prepared for other health threats.
When we fight TB, we prepare for the next pandemic. Strong and resilient health systems are critical to #EndTB and confront the next pandemic threat. Fully committing to fighting TB today means we’re building a safer and healthier world for tomorrow. #WorldTBDay
We have the tools and knowledge to #DefeatTB. Now is the time to scale up our response and ensure everyone has access to the proven, lifesaving tools to fight TB. #WorldTBDay
The @GlobalFund provides 76% of all international financing to fight TB. Now is the time to accelerate the fight to #DefeatTB – a disease that millions of people continue to suffer and die from every year. #WorldTBDay
Data Explorer
Explore data on investments and results in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria around the world.
The Global Fund invests in smart, effective health programs to end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as public health threats. The Data Explorer visualizes where our investments come from, where they are and what they achieve by providing pledge and contribution data, grant financial data, and results data at global, regional and country levels.