TB remains a deadly global threat, killing over 3,300 people daily, with Southeast Asia bearing nearly 40% of deaths. Yet it is preventable and treatable.
The World Health Organization has released new guidelines endorsing near-point-of-care molecular tests and non-invasive tongue swabs-both battery-powered, costing half as much as current options, and delivering results in under an hour.
These tools enable testing for adults and youth unable to produce sputum, improving access among high-risk populations.
"These new tools could be truly transformative," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The tests can also detect HIV, mpox, and HPV.
A sputum pooling strategy-combining samples from multiple individuals-further boosts efficiency and cuts costs.
Despite saving 83 million lives since 2000, progress faces setbacks due to slashed global health funding. The WHO warns that ending TB requires sustained investment, yet current research budgets fall far short of the $5 billion annual need.
Every dollar spent on TB yields up to $43 in health and economic returns, according to Dr. Tereza Kasaeva of WHO.
"Decisive leadership, strategic investment, and rapid implementation are now essential," she said.