WHO Urges Accelerated Action to End Tuberculosis with Novel Diagnostic Tools
On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for countries to accelerate efforts to end TB, a leading infectious killer globally, by expanding access to innovative diagnostic tools and strengthening TB care. These new tools promise faster, more accurate detection of the disease, bringing diagnosis closer to patients and potentially saving lives.
New Diagnostic Technologies for Faster Detection
The WHO has issued new guidelines on near-point-of-care molecular diagnostic tests for TB. These portable, battery-powered tests deliver results in under an hour, significantly reducing the time to diagnosis and allowing for quicker treatment initiation. These tests are also available at less than half the cost of many existing molecular diagnostics, making them more accessible to resource-constrained countries.
Innovative Sample Collection Methods
Beyond advancements in diagnostic testing, the WHO guidelines also recommend the use of tongue swabs for TB testing. This method allows individuals, including adolescents, who cannot produce sputum samples to be tested for the first time, expanding access to diagnosis for those at higher risk of mortality from TB. A sputum pooling strategy – where samples from multiple individuals are tested together – is recommended to improve testing efficiency and reduce costs, particularly in settings with limited resources.
Global Impact of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis remains a significant global health challenge. In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, resulting in 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 among people living with HIV. TB is the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent and is among the top 10 causes of death overall. It is also a major contributor to deaths related to antimicrobial resistance.
WHO’s Call to Action: Five Key Priorities
On World TB Day 2026, under the theme “Yes! We can end TB: Led by countries, powered by people”, the WHO is urging countries to prioritize the following actions:
- Accelerate the rollout of near-point-of-care diagnostic technologies and other innovations as part of a comprehensive testing network.
- Strengthen people-centered TB care with meaningful community leadership and continuous engagement.
- Build resilient health systems to safeguard health security.
- Tackle the social and economic drivers of TB through multisectoral action.
- Protect essential TB services amid global crises and funding constraints.
Beyond TB: Potential for Broader Diagnostic Applications
The new diagnostic platforms have the potential to extend beyond TB, offering testing capabilities for other diseases such as HIV, mpox, and HPV. This broader application could lead to more integrated and patient-centered healthcare services.
The Importance of Investment and Innovation
While these new tools represent a significant step forward, sustained investment in TB research and innovation is crucial. Global funding for TB research remains significantly below the estimated annual need of around US$5 billion, hindering the development of new diagnostics, medicines, and vaccines. The WHO is working with partners, through initiatives like the TB Vaccine Accelerator Council, to accelerate progress and ensure equitable access to new TB vaccines.
A Strategic Investment in Global Health
“Investing in TB is a strategic political and economic choice, generating up to US$ 43 in health and economic returns for every dollar spent,” said Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. The WHO urges governments and partners to prioritize TB as a central pillar of health security and universal health coverage.