London: While various agencies and governments worldwide are working to eliminate tuberculosis (TB)—the most deadly infectious disease—the recent funding cuts announced by the Donald Trump-led US administration raise serious concerns about the future of TB control and treatment efforts.
According to a recent statement by data analytics firm GlobalData, “funding cuts to TB programs, particularly from the US, raise serious concerns about the future of TB control and treatment efforts.”
With an annual contribution of approximately $250 million, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has been the largest bilateral donor to TB programs. However, sharp reductions in aid have disrupted TB programs worldwide, with Africa and South-East Asia among the hardest-hit regions, the report added.
Citing WHO figures, GlobalData stated that TB, with an annual death toll of around 1.25 million in 2023, is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease. US funding has been instrumental in supporting essential TB services, particularly in high-burden countries.
A major concern arising from these funding cuts is the potential increase in drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) cases. Inconsistent treatment due to financial constraints can lead to incomplete therapy, forcing patients to develop resistance to standard drugs. DR-TB is significantly more challenging and expensive to treat.
Speaking on the matter, Abigail Harris, Infectious Disease Analyst, GlobalData, said, “Funding cuts of this magnitude will directly impact access to TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, leaving millions vulnerable to disease progression and death. Without urgent intervention, we risk undoing decades of progress in TB elimination.”
She further warned, “We risk facing an even deadlier TB crisis, where highly resistant strains, requiring prolonged and costly treatment, become more prevalent.”
According to drug pipeline data curated by GlobalData, 15 prophylactic vaccines for TB are currently in clinical development. However, continued R&D investment is essential for the most promising candidates to reach the market.
As we mark World Tuberculosis Day tomorrow, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also flagged concerns over the issue. While global TB efforts have saved millions of lives, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding now threaten to reverse these gains.
Due to funding shortfalls, the UN healthcare arm noted that 27 countries are facing crippling breakdowns in their TB response, with devastating consequences. These include human resource shortages, disruption of diagnostic services, and the collapse of disease tracking and management systems.
Notably, data shared by the premier health advocacy forum suggests that global financial commitments to TB have sharply declined over the years. In 2023, for instance, only 26 per cent of the $22 billion annually required for TB prevention and care was available.
Among the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by UN member states is the elimination of TB by 2030, under the broader vision of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
