Namibia joined the global community in commemorating World Tuberculosis (TB) Day under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Led by Countries, Powered by Communities,” with renewed commitment to accelerate efforts to eliminate one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.

The national commemoration, held in Gobabis in the Omaheke Region, brought together government leaders, development partners, civil society organizations, and communities to reflect on progress and address persistent gaps in the country’s TB response.

A national call to action
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Dr. Esperance Luvindao, Minister of Health and Social Services, highlighted that ending TB is achievable, but only with decisive national leadership and robust community engagement.
“Ending TB is within our reach, but only if we combine strong government leadership with active community participation,” she said.

Globally, TB continues to pose a major public health challenge. In 2024 alone, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB and 1.23 million died from the disease.

In Namibia, 8,370 TB cases were reported in 2024, including 293 drug-resistant cases. However, the Minister emphasized a significant gap—around 34% of TB cases remain undiagnosed, highlighting the urgent need for intensified case detection.
The Omaheke Region, despite its low population density, currently has the highest TB case notification rate in the country, with access challenges stemming from long distances between communities and health facilities. Mobile screening technologies, including digital X-ray systems deployed in communities, are already being used to identify missing cases and bring services closer to people

Progress and new strategies
Despite ongoing challenges, Namibia has achieved significant progress in TB control. The country attained an 87% treatment success rate in 2024, nearing the WHO target, while drug-resistant TB treatment success reached 75%, exceeding WHO targets.
Integration of TB and HIV services continues to yield strong results, with nearly all TB patients tested for HIV and 99% of those co-infected initiated on antiretroviral therapy. The HIV positivity rate among TB patients declined from over 65% in 2005 to 32% in 2025.

To accelerate progress, the Minister announced the launch of the Fifth Edition of the National Guidelines for the Management of Tuberculosis, which included the:
•    Expansion of active case finding to reach undiagnosed patients
•    Updated standard treatment regimens for both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TBScale up TB preventive therapy (TPT
•    Strengthening patient-centred care, addressing socio-economic and rehabilitation needs alongside common co-morbidities.
.

WHO: Sustaining momentum and closing gaps
Speaking at the event, Dr. Richard Banda, WHO Representative in Namibia, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s TB response and highlighted the broader regional and global context.
“Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases, yet it is preventable, treatable, and curable,” he noted.
Dr. Banda emphasized that while Africa has made progress in expanding diagnostics and preventive care, critical gaps remain in case detection, funding, and health system resilience.
He called for accelerated action focused on:
•    Early detection of all TB cases
•    Ensuring quality treatment for every patient
•    Addressing social and economic drivers such as poverty and overcrowding
He also underscored the importance of political commitment and domestic financing, particularly amid declining global funding.

Community voices: putting a human face to TB
Adding a powerful personal perspective, Karin Husselmann, Founder of the TB Free Foundation Namibia and TB survivor, reminded participants that TB is more than statistics—it is a lived reality affecting families and communities.

“Tuberculosis has a face… a mother, a father, a child,” she said, urging greater attention to stigma, delayed diagnosis, and the social conditions that fuel the disease.

Namibia remains among the 20 high TB burden countries globally, with a TB/HIV co-infection rate of approximately 31%.
Through its work, the TB Free Foundation supports vulnerable patients, particularly children affected by TB and malnutrition, providing food assistance, psychosocial support, and community-based advocacy. The organization is also expanding patient support groups and training TB survivors as champions to combat stigma and promote treatment adherence.

A shared responsibility
Speakers across sectors emphasized that ending TB requires a whole-of-society approach, combining strong health systems with community engagement and multisectoral collaboration.
The Minister reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to strengthening domestic financing and reducing reliance on external support, while also highlighting the importance of partnerships with the WHO, the Global Fund, and other stakeholders.

“Behind every statistic is a person… our responsibility is to ensure they receive the support they need to complete treatment,” she said.

Moving from commitment to action
As Namibia marks World TB Day 2026, the message is clear: progress has been made, but the journey is far from over.
With strengthened national strategies, innovative approaches to case detection, and empowered communities, Namibia is positioning itself to close the remaining gaps and move closer to eliminating TB as a public health threat.
As echoed throughout the event—with leadership, partnership, and collective action—ending TB in Namibia is not only possible but also within reach.