Nilesh Buddha, the WHO temporary representative for the Southeast Asia region, stated that although tuberculosis is treatable and preventable, it claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually in the region and pushes families into poverty.
This agreement was reached during the 79th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Southeast Asia, which is taking place until Thursday in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.
The United Nations representative emphasized that they possess all the necessary tools to change this trend, but it is essential to ensure these tools reach all needy people earlier, more equitably, and through integrated quality primary healthcare.
According to WHO data, Southeast Asia accounts for 34% of new global tuberculosis cases in 2024. In 2024, 3.68 million new cases and 433 thousand deaths were registered.
At the committee meeting, countries agreed to strengthen the early and comprehensive detection of tuberculosis cases through medical services, systematic screening, and active case finding among high-risk groups and those with limited access to healthcare, as well as to introduce vaccination.
WHO notes that the introduction of a tuberculosis vaccine in 2028 could potentially prevent about 1.45 million new cases and save 300 thousand lives by 2030.
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report for 2024 indicates that in 2023, Timor-Leste recorded 6,171 cases, reflecting the impact of enhanced epidemiological surveillance, which allowed for a 55% reduction in deaths from the disease.
In July, WHO launched a campaign in Timor-Leste to detect cases of tuberculosis and leprosy. This campaign will cover the municipalities of Dili, Atauro, Baucau, Ermera, Manatuto, and Lautem and aims to reach 750,000 people, which is more than half of the country's 1.4 million residents.
