On World Tuberculosis Day 2025, the Government of Mexico is joining efforts for prevention, early detection, and access to timely treatments—key actions for eradicating this infectious disease that in 95% of cases is curable when diagnosed and treated promptly.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2023, 10.8 million people worldwide contracted tuberculosis: 6 million men, 3.6 million women, and 1.3 million children, making it a disease present in all countries and age groups.
As part of Mexico’s efforts, the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) hosted a ceremony to commemorate 89 years of fighting tuberculosis. At the event, specialists discussed ongoing actions for preventing and caring for patients with this disease.
During the ceremony at INER, Marta Margarita Zapata Tarrés, head of the Coordinating Commission of National Institutes of Health and High Specialty Hospitals (CCINSHAE), emphasized the importance of prevention and teamwork in combating this disease.
Miguel Ángel Salazar Lezama, a physician at INER’s Tuberculosis Clinic, recalled that since the institute’s founding 89 years ago, it has worked on treating this disease by offering innovative treatments and state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient outcomes.
As part of the commemoration, the photographic exhibition Uniting Stories, Uniting Voices: 89 Years Facing Tuberculosis was inaugurated. This exhibition includes testimonies from patients who have overcome the disease and showcases the evolution of diagnostic and treatment methods available at the institute.
NER’s General Director, Carmen Margarita Hernández Cárdenas, shared that tuberculosis continues to affect thousands of people in Mexico and worldwide, making it crucial to raise awareness about its impact, improve diagnostic coverage, and ensure accessible and effective treatments.
In the Americas, tuberculosis cases have increased by 20% in the last decade, and deaths have also shown an upward trend. According to data from the Pan American Health Organization, 900 cases are diagnosed daily, and 100 people lose their lives.
“Tuberculosis is endemic in Mexico, with many states that have a high incidence of cases. Therefore, improving detection and treatment strategies is essential to reduce transmission”, stated Fátima Leticia Luna López, Director of Mycobacteriosis at the Ministry of Health.
Luna López highlighted that this year’s slogan in Mexico is “Prevention, Detection, and Action: Let’s End Tuberculosis.” This campaign aims to call for action, share information, raise public awareness, and promote access to healthcare services that can help eradicate the disease.
The Director of Mycobacteriosis at the Ministry of Health shared that new technologies have been implemented, such as molecular biology diagnostics and shortened treatments combined with medications for children, as well as improving treatment effectiveness.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease transmitted through the air when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or spits. It is caused by the tuberculosis bacillus, a bacterium that primarily affects the lungs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about a quarter of the global population has been infected with the tuberculosis bacillus, with 5% to 10% of these individuals eventually developing symptoms and falling ill.
Ending tuberculosis by 2030 is one of the health-related goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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