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USAID cuts put tuberculosis response in peril, WHO says

05 March 2025 23:47 (UTC +04:00)

The Trump administration's decision to pause U.S. foreign aid would undo progress made in containing tuberculosis (TB) infections across low- and middle-income countries, putting the lives of millions at risk, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, APA reports citing Reuters.

"Without immediate action, hard-won progress in the fight against TB is at risk. Our collective response must be swift, strategic, and fully resourced to protect the most vulnerable and maintain momentum toward ending TB," said Tereza Kasaeva, director of WHO's Global Programme on TB and Lung Health.

Critical international aid, particularly from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), helped avert about 3.65 million deaths last year alone from the deadly disease, according to the agency.

The U.S. has historically contributed about one quarter of the total international donor funding for TB programs, which amounts to about $200 million to $250 million annually in bilateral funding, the WHO said.