BRICS reshape paradigm for global health cooperation in ending TB

The BRICS countries are poised to deepen their health-focused cooperation in 2025, with a special emphasis on tuberculosis (TB).

TB receives particular attention from BRICS member states, as they collectively account for more than 50 percent of globally reported cases.

During the 18th meeting of the BRICS Tuberculosis Research Network held in May, discussions covered advances in TB prevention, diagnosis, vaccines, treatment and public health interventions, as well as opportunities and challenges related to resource mobilization and strategic dialogues.

Participants agreed to join efforts to expand partnerships in the development of new vaccines against the disease and to develop faster treatments.

Quick guide to TB

Every year, 10 million people fall ill with TB, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite being preventable and curable, it remains the world's deadliest infectious disease. According to WHO's 2024 Global TB Report, 1.25 million people died from the disease in 2023.

Data from WHO also shows that most TB patients live in low- and middle-income countries. The disease disproportionately affects people in 30 high-burden countries. About half of all people with TB can be found in India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Pakistan.

TB is usually treated with a standard six-month course of four antibiotics. Common drugs include rifampicin and isoniazid. In some cases, the TB bacteria do not respond to the standard drugs, which may lead to drug-resistant TB. Treatment for drug-resistant TB is longer and more complex.

The WHO's primary initiative to combat TB is the End TB Strategy, which sets ambitious targets to end the global TB epidemic by reducing TB deaths, incidence, and eliminating catastrophic costs for affected families. According to the plan, TB will no longer be a public health threat by 2035.

However, funding for TB services has declined sharply in recent years, dropping from $6.8 billion in 2019 to $5.7 billion in 2023 – just 26 percent of the global target.

Common goal

Ending TB was also highlighted in the Declaration of the XV BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting, which was held in Brazil in June.

To support the goal of ending TB, the Declaration calls for deeper international cooperation and sustainable financing. It also recognizes the crucial role of the BRICS TB Research Network in driving shared research priorities and guiding the development of aligned approaches among BRICS countries.

Through the meeting, BRICS countries aim to accelerate the development of and equitable access to TB-related innovations.

The move reflects the growing momentum of BRICS health cooperation and a shared determination to fight major global health challenges, particularly among countries of the Global South.

China has made significant progress in TB prevention and treatment over the past decade. The country is implementing a 2024-2030 national plan for TB prevention and treatment, focusing on strengthening grassroots capabilities and ensuring basic services. A clinical trial of a new mRNA vaccine was recently launched in Beijing as well.

The experience and scientific research breakthroughs China has gained in TB prevention and control will be shared with all members through the evolving BRICS health cooperation mechanism.