Egypt unveils Comprehensive Strategy for tuberculosis elimination by 2030

EGYPT—Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has introduced a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2030.

This initiative aligns with both the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030, marking a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to combat TB.

The announcement comes as preparations are underway for World TB Day 2025, which will focus on the theme “Commitment, Investment, and Implementation.”

At the heart of this strategy are ambitious goals to enhance TB detection and treatment outcomes.

Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, spokesperson for the Ministry, outlined these objectives, which include increasing TB case detection rates to over 90%, improving the identification of drug-resistant TB to more than 80%, and achieving a treatment success rate exceeding 90%.

Furthermore, the ministry aims to reduce TB incidence to less than half of its 2015 levels, reflecting a significant commitment to decrease the disease’s prevalence.

To achieve these goals, Egypt has made notable advancements in healthcare infrastructure. Key improvements include upgrades to chest disease hospitals, the modernization of eight bronchoscopy units, and the expansion of CT scan departments, now totaling 22 across the country.

Additionally, the ministry has launched several initiatives, such as the “Lung Health Initiative,” which focuses on early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has benefited over 40,000 patients.

Another significant initiative is a latent TB screening program targeting dialysis patients, which covered more than 31,000 individuals last year.

Moreover, Egypt has equipped 48 chest disease hospitals with state-of-the-art TB diagnostic technology, offering free treatment along with comprehensive medical, social, and psychological support for patients.

The country is also pioneering specialized drug-resistant TB treatment units and has introduced a shorter, six-month treatment regimen for drug-resistant cases.

 This innovative approach underscores Egypt’s commitment to providing effective and efficient care for TB patients.

Healthcare services are delivered through a network of 34 hospitals and 123 chest disease dispensaries nationwide.

In 2024, these facilities treated over 2.2 million patients, highlighting the extensive reach of Egypt’s healthcare system.

Peter Wageeh, Head of the Therapeutic Medicine Sector, emphasized the importance of ongoing training programs, which have seen 1,911 healthcare workers complete 21 specialized courses.

This emphasis on training ensures that healthcare professionals are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to effectively combat TB.

In terms of progress, Wagdy Amin, Director of the General Administration for Chest Diseases, reported that 11,007 TB cases were detected in Egypt in 2024.

The TB incidence rate has fallen to 9.2 cases per 100,000 people, marking a 37% reduction since 2015.

This decline is a testament to the effectiveness of Egypt’s National TB Control Program, which has been praised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global model for combating tuberculosis.

Egypt’s partnership with international organizations, such as the Global Fund, further supports its efforts to strengthen health systems and combat diseases like TB and HIV.

This collaboration underscores the country’s commitment to enhancing health resilience, particularly for vulnerable populations.

By combining these domestic and international efforts, Egypt is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals in the fight against TB by 2030.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and beyond. Also, follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.