The health agency stressed that the essential prevention, testing and treatment services collapse, leaving millions in danger.
The hardest affected regions include Africa, South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, where the national tuberculosis programs strongly depend on international support.
“”Any disturbance of tuberculosis services – whether financial, political or operational – can have devastating and often fatal consequences for millions around the world“Said Tereza Kasaeva, director of the World WHO program on tuberculosis and pulmonary health.
Last week, UN secretary general, António Guterres, also raised the alarm concerning the financing cuts, noting the immediate impact on the main health programs that fight against HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera.
A devastating reverse
Over the past two decades, Global TB programs saved more than 79 million lives, diverting around 3.65 million dead last year.
A significant part of this success was motivated by the financing of the United States government, which provided approximately $ 200 to $ 250 million per year – approximately a quarter of the total funding of guaranteed international donors.
The United States has been the largest bilateral donor for disease-fighting programs.
However, the newly announced discounts for 2025 through decrees will have Devastating impacts on efforts to response to tuberculosis in at least 18 countries with a strong taskWhere 89% of the funding of the United States expected was allocated to patient care.
The impact will be particularly devastating in Africawhere treatment disruptions and layoffs could exponentially increase the transmission rates of tuberculosis.
Immense burden
The first reports of countries affected by TB indicate that fThe constraints of the day already dismantle essential health services.
Among the most urgent concerns are the dismissals of health workers, drug shortages and supply chain breakdowns, data and surveillance systems are collapse and disruption of research and financing of tuberculosis.
“Without immediate action, progress hardly won in the fight against tuberculosis is in danger. Our collective response must be rapid, strategic and entirely of resources to protect the most vulnerable and maintain the momentum to finish tuberculosis“Exhorted Dr. Kasaeva.
Call for urgent action
Who has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting global governments and partners in the fight against tuberculosis.
“In these difficult times, which remains firm in its commitment to supporting national governments, civil society and global partners to obtain sustainable funding and integrated solutions to protect the health and well-being of people most vulnerable to tuberculosis,” said the agency.
