Tuberculosis has a long history of challenging humanity, and while today it is largely preventable and treatable, the battle is far from over. In 2023, nearly 30,000 people fell ill with TB every day and 3,500 lost their lives, according to WHO data.
In the Chinese mainland, experts like Zhao Yanlin, director of the National Center for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, stress that TB prevention and control is a systemic project that requires the collective effort of society.
One of the biggest hurdles in this fight is drug-resistant TB. With an estimated 29,000 cases of multidrug/rifampicin-resistant TB reported in 2023—accounting for 7.3% of the global total—patients face longer treatment periods, more complex regimens, higher costs, and greater challenges in maintaining treatment compliance. Deputy director Zhang Hui highlighted these issues during a recent Beijing seminar.
The seminar, supported by the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute and the Gates Foundation and hosted by the Center for Social Media Research of Peking University, showcased breakthrough technological advancements. Innovative diagnostic methods, such as tongue-swab rapid tests and artificial intelligence-based computer aided detection (AI-CAD), are now meeting or exceeding international standards. These tools promise quicker detection and more efficient treatment, potentially reducing economic burdens on patients and shortening treatment courses.
This blend of modern technology and concerted public health policy is nothing short of a superhero team-up—proving that when innovation meets community effort, there is hope for a healthier future. 💡👊
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Drug-resistant TB control, new tech key in fight against the disease
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