Around 10.7 million people developed tuberculosis worldwide in 2024, while 1.23 million died from the disease, highlighting the urgent need for better vaccines, early diagnosis and improved healthcare access.
Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major global health challenge despite advances in modern medicine. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), millions of people are still affected by the disease every year, prompting experts to call for innovative prevention strategies and stronger healthcare systems.
The latest figures for 2024 show that TB remains a serious threat, particularly in communities where access to timely diagnosis and treatment is limited.
Limited Vaccine Protection Remains a Concern
One of the major challenges in preventing TB is the limited protection offered by the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, which has been used for more than a century. Although it provides important protection against severe forms of TB in children, its effectiveness against pulmonary TB varies, particularly among adolescents and adults.
Researchers are now working to develop next-generation TB vaccines that could offer broader and more reliable protection across different age groups and populations.
These efforts are especially important in low- and middle-income countries, where the disease continues to place a heavy burden on healthcare services.
HIV and Healthcare Gaps Add to the Challenge
Dr Ludoviko Zirimenya, a former palliative care physician, has highlighted the serious impact of TB through his experience caring for patients with advanced disease. Many of these patients were also living with HIV, making treatment and recovery more complicated.
The coexistence of TB and HIV remains a major concern because HIV weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of developing active TB.
Experts say improving access to testing, treatment and preventive care is essential to reduce infections and deaths. Stronger healthcare infrastructure, public education and timely medical intervention can also help communities manage the disease more effectively.
Experts Call for a Wider Approach
Dr Zirimenya emphasises that TB should be addressed as both a medical and a social issue, recognising the broader factors that allow the disease to persist.
Raising public awareness, correcting misconceptions and encouraging people to seek medical care early are important steps towards controlling transmission.
As researchers continue to develop new vaccines and prevention methods, collaboration between governments, healthcare professionals and global health organisations will be crucial to reducing the worldwide burden of tuberculosis.
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