World Tuberculosis Day Being Observed Today

Kathmandu, March 24: The World Tuberculosis Day is being observed today by organising a variety of programmes including Nepal. Every year, 24 March is observed as World TB Day to amplify the urgency of ending tuberculosis (TB), the world’s deadliest infectious disease. TB continues to devastate millions globally, inflicting severe health, social and economic consequences.

According to the World Health Organisation, this year’s theme is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver”. It offers an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts and encourage stronger commitment at local, national and international levels to end TB, including by combating the growing threat of drug-resistant TB.

Stronger commitment is crucial, especially as declining international funding for TB in the current geopolitical climate threatens the achievement of global targets to end TB by 2030.

TB is a contagious airborne disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which most often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected, the WHO says.

Meanwhile, the National TB Control Center is organizing various public awareness programs on the occasion.

Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in Nepal, with an estimated 68,000 new TB cases and an incidence rate of 229 per 100,000 population in 2023. The mortality rate is 54 per 100,000 population, according to WHO data.

During the year, the National Tuberculosis Program registered 40,776 TB patients for treatment. Of these, 39 percent were women and 61 percent were men.

Furthermore, 756 people were diagnosed with drug-resistant TB, says Director of the Center, Dr Shriram Tiwari.

TB has caused a high financial burden on the families of patients. According to the National Tuberculosis Patient Data Survey-2024, 51 percent of TB patients and their families in Nepal have suffered a high financial burden due to this disease.

The Center has clarified that further progress has not been achieved due to the lack of collaboration between all sectors to end the disease. To end the disease, it is necessary to have a significant contribution from the health sector, as well as other sectors such as education, labour and employment, social security, etc. In addition, the involvement of the private sector and the community is equally important, says Dr Tiwari in a statement released on the occasion.

Tuberculosis treatment services are available free of charge in 6,241 health institutions with diagnostic services in 800 health institutions across Nepal. Rapid testing services for the disease have reached 117 health institutions in 67 districts.

The statement by Dr Tiwari states that the center is moving towards the goal of ending the tuberculosis epidemic by 2030 and achieving a tuberculosis-free Nepal by 2050.