WHO Urges Global Action to Accelerate Tuberculosis Elimination with New Diagnostics
On World Tuberculosis Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling for increased global efforts to end tuberculosis (TB), a leading infectious killer, by expanding access to innovative diagnostic tools. These advancements include new, point-of-care tests and methods like analyzing tongue samples for quicker and more accessible detection of the disease.
Faster, More Accessible TB Testing with New WHO Guidelines
New WHO guidelines promote the use of TB testing technologies that can be deployed close to patients, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment. These portable, battery-operated tests deliver results in under an hour and are less than half the cost of many existing molecular diagnostic tools, potentially broadening access to screening, particularly in resource-limited settings.
“These new methods can completely transform the fight against tuberculosis, allowing rapid and accurate diagnoses close to the population, saving lives, stopping transmission and reducing costs,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. WHO encourages all countries to expand access to these and other tools to care for all people with tuberculosis and start treating them without delay.”
Expanding Diagnostic Capabilities Beyond Tuberculosis
The new diagnostic tools aren’t limited to TB detection. They can as well identify other infections, including HIV, monkeypox (mpox), and human papillomavirus, facilitating integrated testing services and more equitable access to healthcare.
Innovative Sample Collection Methods for Broader Screening
The guidelines also recommend using tongue swabs for sample collection, allowing screening for adults and adolescents who cannot produce sputum. Pooling sputum samples for analysis can reduce costs and increase efficiency, particularly in settings with limited resources.
Progress at Risk: The Importance of Sustained Funding
TB remains a deadly disease, causing approximately 3,300 deaths and 30,000 new infections daily, despite being preventable and curable. While global efforts since 2000 have saved an estimated 83 million lives, progress is threatened by cuts in global health financing. The adoption of rapid diagnostic tools has been hindered in many countries by high costs and the need for centralized laboratory testing.
Effective solutions, such as point-of-care urine testing for people with HIV and low- or moderate-complexity testing for HIV-positive patients, can help address existing diagnostic deficiencies.
World Tuberculosis Day 2026: A Call to Action
On World Tuberculosis Day, WHO highlights the crucial role of countries and communities in ending TB through these urgent measures:
- Accelerate the implementation of point-of-care diagnostic techniques and other innovations within a comprehensive detection network.
- Strengthen TB-affected care through effective community leadership and engagement.
- Establish resilient health systems to safeguard health security.
- Address the socioeconomic factors that contribute to TB through multisectoral action.
- Protect essential TB services in the face of global crises and funding constraints.
“Investing in the fight against tuberculosis is a strategic decision, both political and economic, that can generate up to US$43 in health and economic benefits for every dollar invested,” explains Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the Department of HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections at WHO. “Now, we need to craft strong commitments, invest with strategic vision and promptly implement WHO recommendations and innovations to save lives and protect people.”
The Need for Continued Research and Innovation
While new diagnostics represent a significant step forward, ending TB requires sustained investment in research and innovation. Global funding for TB research currently falls short of the estimated annual need of around US$5 billion, hindering the development of new diagnostics, medications, and vaccines.
WHO is collaborating with partners through initiatives like the Tuberculosis Vaccine Accelerator Council to advance vaccine development and ensure equitable access, fostering cooperation between governments, researchers, funders, and companies.
On World Tuberculosis Day 2026, WHO urges governments and partners to prioritize TB as a critical component of health security and universal health coverage.