China has achieved remarkable strides in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, both the incidence and mortality rates have dropped by approximately 30%, marking a significant public health milestone.
At a recent press conference held by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, officials highlighted that the annual decline in TB incidence is twice the global average, with treatment success rates maintained above 90% while mortality remains low.
Liu Qing, deputy director of the administration's Department of Infectious Disease Control, emphasized the next phase: the National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Plan (2024-2030). The plan will boost collaboration among disease control agencies, medical institutions, and grassroots healthcare providers. Its strategies include expanding proactive screenings to curb transmission, standardizing patient treatment protocols, and strengthening financial support policies to ease the economic burden on patients.
This announcement, coming shortly after World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, reinforces global efforts in the battle against TB. The World Health Organization's 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report reminds us that TB, one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases, recorded 10.8 million new cases and 1.25 million deaths in 2023, amidst declining funding levels.
China's progress serves as an inspiring example of how coordinated public health efforts can make a real impact, offering valuable lessons for the global community in the ongoing struggle against TB.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
