WHO South-East Asia Region Commits to Stronger Action to Close Gaps to End TB

9 September 2026

WHO South-East Asia news release

9 September 2026 — Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region committed to stronger, more integrated action to close critical gaps to end TB, focusing on earlier diagnosis, better access to prevention and treatment, stronger financial protection for families, and readiness for new TB vaccines.

The commitment was made at the 79th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia held on 7–10 September 2026.

The WHO South-East Asia Region is home to almost a quarter of the world’s population, but accounted for approximately 34% of new TB cases globally in 2024 – an estimated 3.68 million cases – and approximately 433 000 deaths. Around 150 000 people developed multidrug- and rifampicin-resistant TB, representing more than 38% of the global burden.

Read the full news release here.

Source: WHO South-East Asia