Despite progress, Cambodia remains on global TB watch list

World Health Organization representative Dr Li Ailan recently said that although having achieved impressive results in the fight against Tuberculosis (TB), Cambodia still remained on the global TB watch list, and the Covid-19 pandemic has reversed years of progress in the country’s fight to end TB.

“Cambodia has made remarkable progress in reducing the incidence rate [of TB] by 22% between 2015 and 2019 and transitioned out of the list of 30 high TB burdened countries in the middle of last year. However, we remain on the global TB watch list, which means we need to monitor and prioritise TB services,” she said.

“The incidence rate was reduced by 53% from 579 cases per 100,000 of the population in 2000 to 274 per 100,000 in 2020. About 500,000 TB patients have been cured and 400,000 deaths prevented since 2000. “In mid-2021, Cambodia transitioned out of the list of 30 countries with high incidence of TB and was recognised for its success in reducing the disease. Between 2015 and 2019, the incidence rate fell by 22%,” she added.

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