Lately, a number of health organizations are throwing up a scare over the massive cuts in funding, threatening severe consequences for millions of people. Since the TB prevention and treatment initiative started till the present day, millions of people’s lives have been saved, but the rapid reduction of international aid now poses serious problems for these achievements, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
The United States, known to be the biggest supporter of the TB programs some years ago, has significantly cut down the financial contributions which in turn lead to the problem to affect the 18-highest-burden countries that mainly were U.S. benefactors. The African region is the most affected, as it is followed by South-East Asia and the Western Pacific.
Long queues and bare shelves in the pharmacies have been observed. Delays in the laboratory diagnosis procedures, and a shortage of workforce are preventing the health workers to work. Besides, these difficulties may mean that the TB targets for 2027 and 2030 set at the global level will not be met, leaving vulnerable groups at risk.
When discussing restoring funding to avert catastrophic outcomes, the WHO officials say that the matter requires immediate attention. More times than not even the temporary interruptions of services can be accompanied by excessive deaths and enlarged transmission of diseases. Without an instantaneous response, the TB issue could experience the process of getting worse.
