On 24 March, World Tuberculosis Day (TB) Day takes places to raise awareness about the impacts of the global TB epidemic. It is estimated that nearly 4,000 people lose their lives to TB every day. 

The Clock is Ticking

This week on World TB Day, many awareness-raising activities will be taking place under the theme of ‘The Clock is Ticking’, which conveys the urgency to act now – and that time is running for global leaders to act on the commitments made to end TB. This is especially important in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which has stalled essential work needed to end TB.

Facts you need to know!

If you’re wondering why World TB Day is so important, about a quarter of the world’s population is infected with M.tuberculosis, increasing the risk of developing TB disease. Every day close to 4,000 people die from TB and 28,000 people fall ill. Despite progress made to develop treatments to tackle TB, in 2019 about half a million people fell ill with drug-resistant TB. Furthermore, the pace of progress has been far too slow and investments are falling short.

TB is a preventable disease and together we can act to prevent and control its spread. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that global efforts to combat TB have saved 63 million lives since the year 2000.

Be informed

This year, the WHO is calling for action to ensure that the global commitments made to end TB are achieved. These priority recommendations can be found in the 2020 progress report on TB issued by the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Some of the recommendations include:

• Ensuring that TB prevention and care is ensured in the context of COVID-19;
• Addressing the drug-resistant TB crisis;
• Promote human rights and combat stigma and discrimination;
• Ensure meaningful engagement of civil society, communities and people affected by TB.

How to get involved

There are many ways you can help influence governments and call attention to the TB epidemic:

• Why not be a voice for change on TB by sharing one of the many social media tiles developed by the WHO on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. There are many infographics and examples to share on policy recommendations and actions needed to end TB.
• If you’re a civil society organisation, youth group, NCD advocate, policy-maker, private-sector organisation and work on TB control and prevention, why not decorate your website with the World TB Day banner?
• You can also share the key messages via posters and GIFs to inform your audience!
• Join the World TB Day conversation on social media using the campaign hashtags: #TheClockIsTicking, #WorldTBDay and #EndTB.
• We also encourage you to follow our member The Union and the WHO as they get share key messages and activities from the campaign. 

Resources

Last year, NCD Alliance published a Briefing Note calling national leaders and the Global Fund Board to recognise the growing impact of NCDs on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of people living with and at risk of HIV, TB and malaria, and on the sustainability and resilience of health systems. It outlines how we can ensure equitable, impactful and cost-effective integration of NCDs in the Global Fund strategy 2023-2028. Feel free to share and disseminate this briefing note among your networks! 

Finally, no matter how you choose to take part, show your support for #WorldTBDay!