The BRICS nations are committed to enhancing health collaboration, particularly targeting tuberculosis in 2025. This initiative underscores the need for innovative approaches in treatment, prevention, and research, as the member states recognize the global urgency surrounding this infectious disease.

BRICS countries collectively report more than 50 percent of the world's tuberculosis cases, placing them at the forefront of international health efforts. This demographic reality reinforces the urgency of their collaborative health strategies and the importance of collective action in combating TB.

At the 18th meeting of the BRICS Tuberculosis Research Network held in May, participants engaged in discussions regarding the latest advancements in TB prevention, diagnosis, vaccine development, and treatment methodologies. The dialogue also touched on resource mobilization opportunities and the strategic challenges that lie ahead.

There was a consensus among the participants to expand partnerships aimed at developing new vaccines for tuberculosis and to facilitate the creation of quicker treatment alternatives. This strategic focus indicates a proactive approach to enhancing the landscape of tuberculosis care.

The World Health Organization reports that around 10 million individuals are diagnosed with tuberculosis annually. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB continues to be the deadliest infectious disease globally, accounting for 1.25 million fatalities in 2023 alone.

The data further reveals that a majority of TB patients reside in low- and middle-income nations, with 30 countries bearing the highest burden of this disease. Alarmingly, approximately half of all reported TB cases are concentrated in five countries: India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

Treatment for tuberculosis typically involves a six-month regimen comprising four antibiotics, including rifampicin and isoniazid. However, challenges arise when patients develop drug-resistant TB, resulting in a more complex and prolonged treatment process.

The WHO's End TB Strategy is the principal global initiative aimed at eradicating tuberculosis. This comprehensive plan includes significant objectives such as reducing TB-related mortality and incidence while alleviating the financial hardships many families face due to the disease. The strategy aspires to eradicate TB as a public health threat by 2035.

Despite these ambitious goals, funding for TB services has suffered a notable decline—from 6.8 billion dollars in 2019 to 5.7 billion dollars in 2023, equating to just 26 percent of the global target. This reduction in financial support poses a significant barrier to combatting the TB epidemic effectively.

The commitment to ending tuberculosis was reiterated in the recent Declaration of the XV BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting held in Brazil. This declaration emphasized the necessity for strengthened international cooperation and sustainable funding to achieve TB elimination and highlighted the crucial function of the BRICS TB Research Network.

Through their coordinated efforts, BRICS countries aim to accelerate the development and ensure equitable access to new innovations in tuberculosis treatment and prevention. This initiative reflects a growing momentum in BRICS health cooperation, demonstrating a unified commitment to addressing critical global health issues, particularly within the Global South.

China has notably advanced its tuberculosis prevention and treatment initiatives over the past decade and is launching a national plan for the years 2024-2030, focusing on enhancing local capabilities and access to essential services. A recent clinical trial for a new mRNA vaccine is also underway in Beijing, promising further advancements in the fight against TB.