Wellcome statement in response to the WHO Global TB Report 2023

The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2023 shows that the TB response is recovering from the Covid pandemic, but accelerated efforts are needed to meet targets to end TB and reduce the global burden.

Charlie Weller, Head of Prevention at Wellcome, said:

“It is encouraging to see gains in the fight against TB following the impact of COVID over the previous years. But now is not the time to relax – with global cases still on the rise, there is a way to go if we are to meet the ambitious targets to end TB by 2030. 

“Surveillance, global collaboration between health agencies, policy makers, manufacturers and funders, and an efficient research and development sector will be crucial to regain control this disease and protect those most at risk. My hope is that funding, like that of the M72 vaccine phase 3 trial, will help to drive innovation and incentivise investment in TB. Additionally, as one of the biggest driver of TB, drug resistance must be addressed using all the approaches available to us, from novel drug innovation to enhanced surveillance and vaccine development, if we are to make sustainable advances for TB control and prevention. 

“The goals to end TB, and the commitments made during the UN high-level meeting on TB, are ambitious. We must see these promises turned into concrete action if we are to fully recover and make progress in the fight against TB.”