The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarm over severe funding cuts—particularly from the United States—that threaten decades of progress in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease.
According to the WHO, critical TB prevention, testing, and treatment services are at risk, endangering millions globally. The hardest-hit regions include Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Western Pacific, where national TB programmes heavily rely on international funding.
“Any disruption to TB services—whether financial, political, or operational—can have devastating and often fatal consequences for millions worldwide,” said Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Global Programme on TB and Lung Health, in a statement on Wednesday.
US Funding Cuts and Global Health Impact
On February 24, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also sounded the alarm on reduced global health funding, emphasizing its impact on programmes combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera.
Over the past two decades, TB programmes worldwide have saved more than 79 million lives, preventing approximately 3.65 million deaths in 2024 alone. A significant portion of this success has been attributed to U.S. government funding, which has contributed about $200 to $250 million annually—roughly a quarter of total international donor funding for TB.
However, newly announced budget cuts for 2025, enforced through executive orders, are expected to severely impact TB response efforts in at least 18 high-burden countries. These cuts could lead to treatment disruptions, staff layoffs, and an exponential rise in TB transmission rates, particularly in Africa.
Disruptions to Health Services
Early reports from TB-affected countries indicate that funding constraints are already dismantling essential health services. Key concerns include:
- Layoffs of health workers
- Shortages of essential TB medications
- Breakdown of supply chains
- Data and surveillance system failures
- Cuts to TB research and innovation funding
“Without immediate action, hard-won progress in the fight against TB is at risk. Our collective response must be swift, strategic, and fully resourced to protect the most vulnerable and maintain momentum toward ending TB,” Kasaeva emphasized.
WHO’s Commitment to the TB Fight
Despite financial setbacks, WHO has reaffirmed its commitment to working with governments, civil society, and global health partners to secure sustained funding and integrated solutions.
“In these challenging times, WHO remains steadfast in supporting national governments and global partners in safeguarding the health and well-being of those most vulnerable to TB,” Kasaeva added.
With global TB cases still alarmingly high, health experts warn that without urgent intervention and renewed funding commitments, the fight against the disease could suffer devastating setbacks, jeopardizing millions of lives worldwide.
