Impact of US funding cuts takes centre stage on World TB Day

IN MARKING World Tuberculosis (TB) Day today, the widespread implications of US funding cuts is expected to dominate conversation and events around the globe.

- LISA ISAACS [e-mail]

"The huge gains the world has made against TB over the past 20 years are now at risk as cuts to funding start to disrupt access to services for prevention, screening, and treatment for people with TB," said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

WHO has called for an urgent investment of resources to protect and maintain TB care and support services for people in need across regions and countries.

This comes after the US government issued termination letters to programmes funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Many provided essential and lifesaving healthcare services for HIV and TB, malaria, Ebola, malnutrition, and vaccination among other critical health issues.

WHO said global efforts to combat TB have saved an estimated 79 million lives since 2000. However, the drastic and abrupt cuts in global health funding happening now was threatening to reverse these gains.