MOH: TB death rate shows downward trend

However, the ministry said the TB death rate showed a decline, dropping to 7.6 per 100,000 population in 2024 from 7.9 in 2023, with total deaths decreasing by 1.6 per cent to 2,580 from 2,623.

The MOH said the decline reflected the ongoing impact of public health interventions despite significant challenges in fully eliminating TB.

"It is important to emphasise that TB is not caused by santau (a practice of delivering a curse and poison through black magic), human intervention, or a hereditary disease. It is an infectious disease that can be completely cured with consistent treatment as recommended by medical practitioners," it said in a statement today in conjunction with World TB Day.

The ministry said TB patients should not be isolated, but instead, the community should provide support and empathy, as acceptance was crucial for successful treatment and recovery.

The MOH stated that it remained committed to strengthening the country's TB control service system through various approaches, including the use of the latest diagnostic technology that was faster, more accurate, and user-friendly.

It added that another measure taken was strengthening patient monitoring systems to ensure treatment compliance while enhancing the capacity of health workers in effective TB management.

The theme for the 2025 World TB Day celebration in Malaysia is "End TB Together: Strengthen Commitment, Funds and Services", in line with the global theme "Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, and Deliver", reinforcing the MADANI Government and the MOH's commitment to eradicating TB as a public health concern by 2035.

World TB Day is observed on March 24 each year to mark the discovery of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria by Dr Robert Koch on March 24, 1882, a significant milestone in medical history.

-- BERNAMA