World TB Day is observed on March 24 every year with the aim to increase awareness about this disease and promote action to address the devastating health, social, and economic impact it has across the globe.

Preliminary data compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO) from more than 80 countries suggest that around 1.4 million fewer people received care for TB in the past year compared to 2019, translating to a reduction of 21% from 2019. The countries that demonstrated the biggest relative gaps include Indonesia (42%), South Africa (41%), Philippines (37%) and India (25%). The WHO issued new guidance on World TB Day in order to assist countries identify the needs of communities, the populations that have the highest risk of TB, and the locations that are most affected so that people have access to appropriate prevention and care services. Systematic use of screening tools is vital to achieve this aim… (WHO, March 22, 2021)