“Yes! We Can End TB!”
24 March 2026
On the occasion of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2026, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) joins the global community in reaffirming its commitment to end tuberculosis as a public health threat.
This year’s theme, “Yes! We Can End TB!”, sends a message of determination and hope: with strong leadership, sustained investment, and coordinated action, the trajectory of the TB epidemic can be changed.
Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s most persistent infectious diseases, affecting millions each year and continuing to place pressure on health systems. While countries in the WHO European Region and South-Eastern Europe have made progress in improving diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, global crises and financial pressures risk slowing this momentum.
Ending TB is also an investment in health security. As one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, TB continues to test the resilience of health systems. Strengthening TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment contributes directly to stronger, more prepared public health systems and supports national and regional health security.
At the same time, TB is driven by social and economic inequalities and continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Addressing it therefore requires whole-of-government and multisectoral action, engaging sectors beyond health and supported by clear accountability mechanisms.
Rapid advances in science and technology offer new opportunities to detect and treat TB more effectively. Expanding access to rapid diagnostic tools and accelerating the uptake of new recommendations will be essential to ensure that innovations reach people in time.
Countries must also ensure that people-centred TB care remains at the core of the response. Accessible, affordable, and stigma-free TB services at the primary health care level—combined with meaningful engagement of communities, civil society, and people affected by TB—are essential to ensure that policies and services respond to real needs.
SEEHN calls on governments, health institutions, and partners to safeguard essential TB services and protect the progress achieved over the past decade, and, at, the same time, to renew their commitment to TB elimination through sustained political engagement, strategic investment, and regional cooperation.
As countries across South-Eastern Europe continue to work together through SEEHN, regional cooperation remains key to strengthening public health capacities and advancing the goal of ending TB.
