Online Reporter
Online Reporter
LATEST figures from the Ministry of Health and Child Care show that about 21 600 Zimbabweans were diagnosed with TB in 2025, highlighting the continued threat posed by the infectious disease despite progress made in recent years.
Zimbabwe was recently removed from the World Health Organisation list of the 30 high TB burden countries – a significant milestone in the country’s public health efforts.
However, officials say challenges such as delayed health-seeking behaviour, stigma, treatment interruption and declining global funding still threaten gains made in the fight against TB.
The country will commemorate World TB Day on March 24 under the theme “Yes! We can end TB!”, a global call to accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease.
In the run-up to the commemorations, the Ministry of Health and partners, including the National AIDS Council and the Zimbabwe National Network of TB Survivors, held a pre-commemoration event at Parirewa High School.
Speaking at the event, the Ministry’s deputy director for the National TB and Leprosy Programme, Dr Fungai Kavenga, said the fight against TB requires collective national responsibility.
He said traditional leaders, communities and health workers play a critical role in mobilising communities, addressing stigma and encouraging early testing and treatment.
Health officials say tuberculosis, an airborne disease that mainly affects the lungs, can be cured if diagnosed early and patients adhere to treatment.
