The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 highlights the continuing crisis of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, with the Philippines ranking among the top five countries responsible for a staggering 56% of global TB cases.
In 2023 alone, TB claimed the lives of 1.25 million people, solidifying its position as the leading infectious disease killer, surpassing even COVID-19. Approximately 10.8 million individuals fell ill with TB last year, including a concerning 12% who were children and young adolescents.
The report underscores that many of these cases likely represent a backlog from prior years, exacerbated by delays in diagnosis and treatment due to COVID-19 disruptions.
The Philippines’ Struggle with TB
In 2023, an estimated 739,000 Filipinos contracted TB, translating to an incidence rate of 643 cases per 100,000 people—far above the Western Pacific region's average of 97 per 100,000. Alarmingly, around 37,000 Filipinos succumbed to the disease, marking TB as one of the leading causes of death in the country.
While many regions have seen a decrease in TB cases and deaths since 2015, the Philippines is experiencing the opposite trend, with a 17% increase in incidence and a 33% rise in deaths. The WHO has flagged the country as “high-burden,” indicating urgent action is needed to address the growing crisis.
The Challenge of Multidrug-Resistant TB
The situation is further complicated by the rise of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), with the Philippines accounting for 7.2% of the global cases. MDR-TB, caused by bacteria resistant to first-line treatments, poses a significant public health challenge. Although treatable, the required second-line antibiotics are often more expensive and come with severe side effects. Alarmingly, only about 40% of those diagnosed with MDR-TB accessed the necessary treatment in 2023.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed outrage at the continued toll of TB, emphasizing that effective prevention, detection, and treatment tools exist, yet many still suffer and die unnecessarily.
The data presented in the WHO's report paints a sobering picture of the TB crisis in the Philippines. With rising incidence rates and the looming threat of MDR-TB, urgent and coordinated public health responses are essential to reverse these trends and protect vulnerable populations.
This situation serves as a critical call to action for healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities alike to address the TB burden effectively and ensure that no one is left behind.
