Muhammad Basheer HotoroThe World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that tuberculosis (TB) claimed 1.23 million lives last year, despite a slight decline in deaths and new infections compared to 2023.
In its annual report, the WHO said that 10.7 million people contracted TB in 2024 — including 5.8 million men, 3.7 million women, and 1.2 million children.
TB is a preventable and curable disease caused by bacteria that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or spits.
According to WHO, this marks the first decline in both cases and deaths since the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the organization warned that funding shortages and other challenges could threaten progress.
Last year, $5.9 billion was available for TB prevention and treatment — far below the $22 billion annual target set for 2027.
Eight countries accounted for the majority of global TB cases — India, Indonesia, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bangladesh — with India alone responsible for 25% of total infections.
The WHO added that TB treatment has saved an estimated 83 million lives since the year 2000.
