"As the institution responsible for creating and implementing public health policies, the Ministry of Health is committed to strengthening the system of prevention, early detection and effective treatment of tuberculosis, while constantly improving the capacities of the health system and harmonizing it with modern international standards in this area," the statement said.
As the department reminded, every year on March 24th, World Tuberculosis Day is celebrated around the world, with the aim of drawing public attention to the need for more decisive and coordinated action to end the global tuberculosis epidemic.
"This date has special historical significance. Namely, on March 24, 1882, the German physician and microbiologist Dr. Robert Koh announced the discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, which marked a crucial scientific breakthrough in the understanding, diagnosis and subsequent treatment of this disease. This discovery marked the beginning of a new era in the fight against tuberculosis and laid the foundations of modern medical approaches to its control,” the Ministry of Health said.
According to them, although medicine has made significant progress in the meantime, tuberculosis still represents one of the significant global public health challenges.
"It is a disease that not only affects the health of the individual, but also has wider social and economic consequences, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare," they add.
That is why, as they pointed out, World Tuberculosis Day represents an opportunity to further emphasize the importance of prevention, timely diagnosis, adequate treatment, and continued investment in health systems.
"The theme of this year's World Tuberculosis Day 2026, 'Yes! We can end TB!', sends a strong message of optimism, but also determination. It is a call for joint action and a reminder that, despite numerous global challenges, it is possible to get back on track and reverse the course of the tuberculosis epidemic. Advances in science, the development of new diagnostic methods and therapies, as well as a growing understanding of the importance of preventive measures, open up a real possibility for this disease to be significantly suppressed in the future," the statement further reads.
The Ministry of Health adds that achieving this goal requires strong and decisive leadership by states, continued domestic and international investments in public health, as well as rapid and efficient implementation of the latest recommendations and innovations developed by the World Health Organization.
"Equally important is multisectoral cooperation - connecting the health system, education, social protection and the wider community in a joint response to this disease," the Ministry said.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that the fight against tuberculosis requires continuous commitment, responsible health policy and strong cooperation of all relevant institutions and society as a whole. Through improving preventive programs, strengthening diagnostic capacities and the availability of modern therapies, the goal is to ensure an effective response to this disease and further improve public health protection.
"The message of this year's commemoration is clear - by working together, with responsible health policies, strong institutional support and active participation of society, it is possible to make decisive steps towards ending tuberculosis. The Ministry of Health remains strongly focused on achieving this goal, convinced that the health of citizens is the foundation of overall social development," they concluded.
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