Hanoi (VNA) 🐻– Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis (TB) Control Programme has achieved its best results to date, with an 89% treatment success rate, surpassing the global average of 88%.

In 2024, over 113,000 TB cases were detected nationwide, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. A ceremony marking World TB Day was jointly held by the National Lung Hospital and the National TB Control Programme in Hanoi on March 24, aiming to raise awareness of TB’s severe impact on public health, the economy, and society.

Significant progress in TB control

Addressing the event, Dr. Dinh Van Luong, Director of the National Lung Hospital and head of the Executive Board of the National TB Control Programme, stressed that various initiatives and action plans have been implemented to combat TB over the past time. Vietnam’s TB control network now covers all the 63 provinces and cities, comprising 865 treatment facilities and 406 GeneXpert machines, which enable rapid and accurate TB detection. Despite these advances, TB remains a major public health challenge. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that Vietnam records approximately 182,000 new TB cases and 9,900 drug-resistant TB cases annually, with around 11,000 TB-related deaths. The country ranks 12th among the 30 nations worldwide with the highest TB burden and 10th for drug-resistant TB cases. Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan acknowledged these challenges, noting that proactive detection among high-risk groups remains below target. Declining international funding and complex medical supply procedures continue to hinder detection and treatment efforts. To eliminate TB, he said, Vietnam must adopt a more proactive and innovative approach.

Commitment, investment, and action to end TB

In line with the theme of World TB Day, Vietnam has set its 2025 campaign slogan as: “Vietnam commits, invests, and acts to end TB" which underscores the need for sustained commitment, investment, and action in TB prevention. Dr. Luong emphasised that eliminating TB requires strong commitment from all levels of leadership, sustainable funding, and integrating TB screening into routine healthcare services. He proposed making TB education a mandatory part of medical training to better equip healthcare professionals. To improve early detection, local healthcare facilities are encouraged to expand GeneXpert testing and enhance screening in prisons, industrial zones, and private clinics. Electronic medical records are also being leveraged to strengthen TB surveillance and patient management. Dr. Luong urged the government to introduce special mechanisms for TB control projects funded by international donors and to increase domestic investment in TB prevention, given the decline in global funding. He expressed confidence that 2025 would be a pivotal year for Vietnam’s TB control efforts, stating that with strong leadership, coordinated strategies, and enhanced resources, the country could reach its goal of ending TB ahead of the global 2035 target. Vietnam’s fund to support patients to overcome TB continues to receive widespread public contributions, assisting over 2,300 disadvantaged TB patients./.