MANILA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific region called for accelerated, country-led action to combat tuberculosis (TB) on Monday.

The WHO regional office in Manila called for transforming TB care, decentralizing services, and scaling up innovation to fight the world's deadliest infectious diseases.

"Bringing TB services closer to communities and rapidly expanding access to new diagnostic tools, in an environment free of stigma, are essential to reaching everyone in need," said Saia Ma'u Piukala, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, on the eve of World TB Day, observed annually on March 24.

Piukala added that integrating TB services at the primary health care level improves early detection, reduces treatment delays, and helps prevent transmission, while ensuring vulnerable populations are not left behind.

In 2024, about 2.9 million people were affected by TB across the Western Pacific, according to the WHO.

However, stagnant funding, persistent risk factors -- such as smoking, undernutrition, alcohol use, and diabetes -- and competing health priorities continue to threaten essential TB services.

The WHO also urged countries to accelerate the rollout of near-point-of-care molecular tests that can detect TB, including drug-resistant forms, more quickly and accurately.

The UN health agency stressed that sustained domestic investment is key to protecting gains and strengthening health security. It noted that every U.S. dollar invested can yield up to 43 U.S. dollars in health and economic returns. ■