The African Region is grappling with a severe health crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recession, and straining resources which is derailing years of progress in combating infectious diseases like Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and Malaria. TB, the ninth leading cause of death globally, has seen a surge in fatalities for the first time in a decade, with over 1.6 million deaths recorded in 2021 according to WHO. This regressive trend is especially alarming as Africa is home to 15 of the 30 high-burden TB countries, accounting for over 36% of global TB deaths. Moreover, two-thirds of TB cases among children in the African Region go unreported or undiagnosed, increasing mortality risks, particularly among those under five, who have the lowest diagnosis rate globally at 32%.
