WHO Warns of Funding Shortfalls in Global TB Response

WHO WARNS OF FUNDING SHORTFALLS IN GLOBAL TB RESPONSE

WHY IN THE NEWS ?

• The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 has highlighted major funding shortages in TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research.
• Although domestic sources financed 86% of TB-related spending in 2025, declining international donor contributions threaten progress towards global TB elimination targets.

GLOBAL TB FUNDING REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCIAL GAPS:

• Annual Requirement: Around $22 billion annually is required for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global targets agreed upon at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB by 2027.
• Domestic Financing: Approximately 86% of TB-related expenditure in 2025 came from domestic sources, indicating the growing importance of national healthcare investments.
• Major Contributors: Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa contributed $3.7 billion, accounting for nearly 65% of the total $5.63 billion provided through domestic sources in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Declining Donor Support: International donor funding declined by 14%, falling from $1.1 billion in 2024 to $940 million in 2025. It had remained relatively stable at $1.1–1.3 billion annually between 2015 and 2024.
• Research Deficit: TB research and innovation received $1.2 billion in 2023, significantly below the global target of $5 billion annually, restricting progress in developing better diagnostics, medicines and vaccines.

REGIONAL TB BURDEN AND PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES

• Unequal Burden: More than 80% of global TB cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting inequalities in healthcare access and resources.
• South-East Asia: The WHO South-East Asia Region recorded approximately 6 million new TB cases in 2025, representing 34% of the global total.
• Mortality Burden: The region reported around 4 lakh TB-related deaths, accounting for 35% of global TB deaths.
• WHO’s Appeal: WHO has urged countries in the South-East Asia Region to accelerate efforts through stronger prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment.
• Development Challenge: Inadequate funding, weak healthcare infrastructure and limited research investment threaten progress against TB, particularly in resource-constrained countries.