The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries in the South-East Asia Region to enhance efforts to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) through stronger political commitment, increased domestic funding, and broader access to rapid diagnostic tools and treatments. Recent estimates indicate that the region accounted for 3.6 million new TB cases in 2025, representing 34% of the global total, along with 400,000 TB-related deaths, or 35% of worldwide fatalities attributed to the disease.
Moreover, the region faced approximately 38% of the global burden of rifampicin-resistant and multidrug-resistant TB, with an estimated 140,000 individuals diagnosed with these severe forms of the illness. “These numbers are a stark reminder that TB remains one of the Region’s most pressing public health and development challenges,” stated Dr. Nilesh Buddha, Officer-in-Charge of the WHO South-East Asia Region. “Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community affected by a disease that is preventable and curable.”
While significant advancements have been made—87% of TB patients in the region received diagnosis and treatment in 2025, compared to 79% globally—issues in early detection persist. Only 47% of new TB cases were tested using WHO-recommended rapid diagnostic tests at their initial diagnosis. Access to these diagnostics is crucial for identifying TB and drug resistance early and ensuring timely treatment.
Since 2015, the region has seen an 18% decline in TB incidence and a 31% reduction in deaths, though these figures fall short of the End TB Strategy’s targets for 2025. Contributing factors to the TB burden include undernutrition, which accounts for about 450,000 new cases annually, and diabetes, responsible for an estimated 400,000 cases. Other significant risk factors include smoking, harmful alcohol use, and HIV co-infection.
The financial toll on families affected by TB is substantial, with around 44% facing catastrophic costs due to diagnosis and treatment. This reality highlights the need for social protection measures, such as nutritional and financial support, as part of TB treatment plans.
At the Seventy-ninth Session of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee in September 2026, member states reaffirmed their commitment to ending TB by 2030. The resolution calls for systematic screening to identify at-risk populations, preventive treatments for close contacts and those living with HIV, and integration of TB services into primary healthcare systems. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting affected households through social support and addressing stigma and discrimination.
In 2025, funding for TB prevention and care in the region totaled approximately $1.03 billion, with 91% sourced domestically. However, this amount constituted only about 16% of global TB funding, which is critical given the region’s significant share of global cases. Dr. Buddha emphasized that, “Ending TB is not simply a health sector responsibility. It requires leadership across government, sustained investment, strong health systems, and communities at the center of the response.” He concluded that timely commitment is essential to ensure all who need care receive it without delay or financial burden.
