Tanzania Achieves 40% Decrease in New TB Cases Over Eight Years

Synopsis

Tanzania has marked World Tuberculosis Day by announcing a significant 40% decrease in new TB infections over the past eight years. Deputy Minister of Health Godwin Mollel highlighted this achievement and emphasized ongoing efforts to combat tuberculosis in the country.

Key Takeaways

40% reduction in new TB infections.
TB deaths reduced by 67% from 2015 to 2023.
Tanzania aims for a 75% reduction in TB deaths by 2025.
Improved diagnostic tools and medication contributed to success.
WHO recommends strengthening health systems for TB services.

Dar es Salaam, March 25 (NationPress) Tanzania commemorated World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, announcing that the government has successfully achieved a 40% reduction in new TB cases over the past eight years.

In a message delivered for the occasion, observed annually on March 24 to highlight the urgent need to eliminate tuberculosis, Deputy Minister of Health Godwin Mollel indicated that new TB infections fell from 306 cases per 100,000 individuals in 2015 to 183 cases per 100,000 individuals in 2023.

Mollel further stated in a statement issued from the national capital of Dodoma that TB-related deaths decreased from 56,000 in 2015 to 18,400 in 2023, marking a decrease of approximately 67%.

This achievement positions Tanzania among 13 countries globally aiming to cut TB deaths by 75% by 2025, as per the World Health Organization (WHO) projections.

The Deputy Minister credited the fight against TB to the government's initiatives to enhance diagnostic equipment and medications specialized for tuberculosis.

This year’s campaign theme is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” with the WHO renewing calls for decisive action to eradicate TB, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The WHO advocates that governments should channel investments into strengthening health systems to enhance access to TB services, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach regions, promote TB prevention and control strategies, including infection control and contact tracing, and prioritize the scaling up of screening, early detection, treatment, psychosocial, and nutritional support targeted at vulnerable groups.

World Tuberculosis Day, observed annually on March 24, aims to raise public awareness regarding the global TB epidemic and efforts to eradicate the disease. In 2018, 10 million individuals were infected with TB, resulting in 1.5 million deaths, primarily in low and middle-income nations.