World Tuberculosis Day: A reminder of the importance of prevention and treatment

Every March 24th, World Tuberculosis Day is commemorated, an anniversary established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness about this infectious disease, which remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The date commemorates the day in 1882 when the German doctor Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacillus responsible for tuberculosis, which marked a milestone in medicine.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious respiratory disease that primarily affects the lungs, although it can damage other organs. Despite advances in medicine, tuberculosis remains a global threat, especially in developing countries. Each year, millions of people are affected by the disease, many of them in poverty, where access to adequate treatments is limited. World Tuberculosis Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and universal access to effective treatments. The call is to intensify efforts to eradicate tuberculosis and reduce mortality, especially in a context where the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the care of TB patients. This day also seeks to make visible the need to improve living and health conditions in the most vulnerable communities and to promote collaboration between governments, international organizations, and civil society to achieve the goal of eliminating tuberculosis by 2035.

Current Situation of Tuberculosis

Despite scientific advances, tuberculosis remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2020 approximately 10 million cases of tuberculosis and about 1.5 million deaths were recorded from this cause. This makes it one of the main infectious diseases, second only to COVID-19. Tuberculosis is mainly transmitted through the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. If left untreated, it can be fatal, but it is “curable and preventable”. However, “drug resistance” is a growing problem, and treatment requires several months of medical attention.

Challenges and Advances in the Fight Against Tuberculosis

Although advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved, tuberculosis remains a global challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the fight against TB, reducing the availability of health services and access to treatments. Health systems have been overwhelmed, which has made it difficult to identify new cases and the continuous administration of treatment. Furthermore, multidrug resistance to antibiotics and extensive resistance (MDR-TB and XDR-TB) represent another major challenge, as the treatment of these more severe forms of tuberculosis is more complex, lengthy, and costly.

The WHO’s Goal: Eliminate Tuberculosis

The WHO has set goals to eradicate tuberculosis as a global public health problem. In its “End TB” strategy, it proposes to reduce tuberculosis cases and related deaths by 90% by 2035. To achieve this, joint efforts are needed in various areas:

1. Rapid diagnosis and treatment: Improve access to rapid and inexpensive tests for TB detection, as well as ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment.
2. Prevention: Increase the availability of vaccines and preventive methods, especially in high-risk areas.
3. Public awareness: Educating communities about tuberculosis, its symptoms, and the importance of seeking early medical attention.
4. Strengthening health systems: Ensure that health services can manage both common and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis.

The Role of the International Community

World Tuberculosis Day is also an occasion to draw attention to the need for more resources and international commitment. This includes both funding for research into new treatments and the strengthening of health infrastructure in developing countries. Universal access to health remains a key principle in the fight against tuberculosis, as many of the people most affected come from impoverished communities. In many countries, stigmatization is also a significant obstacle, making it difficult for people to seek help. Awareness campaigns help reduce this barrier and encourage greater acceptance of diagnosis and treatment.