Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world’s most daunting health challenges even today. In 2023, nearly 30,000 people fell ill while about 3,500 lost their lives every day, according to World Health Organization data.
Innovative diagnostic tools and coordinated public health strategies are emerging as game changers. At a recent seminar in Beijing, experts such as Zhao Yanlin, director of China’s National Center for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention, emphasized that TB prevention and control require a united, systemic approach.
China is rolling out a national plan for 2024-2030 that focuses on bolstering grassroots health capabilities and ensuring basic services for all. Simultaneously, breakthroughs in technology—like tongue-swab rapid testing and artificial intelligence-based computer aided detection (AI-CAD)—are setting new standards for accurate TB diagnosis and monitoring.
These advancements are particularly significant in fighting drug-resistant strains. With an estimated 29,000 cases of multidrug/rifampicin-resistant TB recorded in China in 2023, experts highlight the need for standardized treatments, shorter oral regimens, and reduced economic burdens for patients.
Supported by partners including the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute and the Gates Foundation, the seminar showcased how innovative diagnostics and treatment reforms can accelerate efforts to end the TB epidemic. This dynamic blend of technology and policy offers fresh hope for millions and inspires a new era of global public health collaboration.
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Drug-resistant TB control, new tech key in fight against the disease
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