Egypt launches national strategy to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030

Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has announced a new national strategy to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the country by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030. The initiative was launched ahead of World TB Day 2025 yesterday, themed “Commitment, Investment and Implementation”.

Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar outlined the key targets: raising TB case detection rates above 90 per cent; identifying over 80 per cent of drug-resistant cases; and achieving a treatment success rate exceeding 90 per cent. Egypt also aims to halve TB cases compared with 2015 levels.

The country has expanded diagnostic capacity across 48 chest disease hospitals, modernised eight bronchoscopy units, and increased CT scan facilities to 22 nationwide. In 2024, over 2.2 million patients received treatment through 34 hospitals and 123 dispensaries.

The ministry’s “Lung Health Initiative” screened over 40,000 people for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while more than 31,000 dialysis patients were tested for latent TB. Free treatment is provided along with medical, social and psychological support.

Egypt has introduced shorter, six-month treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB and established dedicated treatment units. Training has also been prioritised, with 1,911 healthcare workers completing specialised courses.

According to Daily News Egypt, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised Egypt’s progress, noting its National TB Control Programme as a global model for combating TB.

Wagdy Amin, Director of the General Administration for Chest Diseases, reported 11,007 TB cases in 2024. The incidence rate has dropped to 9.2 per 100,000 people, a 37 per cent decline since 2015.

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