Tanzanian health authorities on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating tuberculosis by 2030, according to a statement issued by the government’s Chief Medical Officer Grace Magembe.

Magembe said that World Tuberculosis Day, marked on March 24, aims to raise awareness and accelerate efforts to end one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.

Despite remaining a major global health threat, Tanzania has made significant progress in reducing tuberculosis infections and deaths in recent years, Magembe said.

According to data cited by the health official, new tuberculosis cases in Tanzania declined from 306 per 100,000 people in 2015 to 172 per 100,000 in 2024, marking a 44 per cent decrease. Tuberculosis-related deaths also dropped from 56,000 to 23,500 over the same period, a reduction of 59 per cent. “These achievements place Tanzania among a few countries on track to meet the global target of ending tuberculosis by 2030,” she said.

Magembe attributed the progress to increased government investment in healthcare infrastructure, expanded diagnostic services using modern technologies and improved access to treatment.

The official observed that the government continues to strengthen community-level services and public awareness campaigns through media outreach and health workers.

Magembe also called on the public to seek early testing for symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, night sweats and weight loss, adhere to prescribed treatment and avoid stigma against tuberculosis patients.

• A Tell Media / Xinhua report