Southern Africa continues to make measurable progress against tuberculosis, yet persistent challenges including undiagnosed cases, drug-resistant strains, and high HIV co-infection rates are slowing elimination efforts in South Africa and Mozambique.
Both nations rank among the World Health Organization’s top 30 high-burden countries for the disease. In South Africa, an estimated 54,000 people died from tuberculosis in 2024, a decline from previous years but still indicative of a sustained public health challenge. The country’s TB burden is closely tied to HIV, with a 54 percent co-infection rate among patients. In Mozambique, approximately 112,000 people contracted the airborne illness in 2023, with health officials estimating 17,400 cases remain undetected. Drug-resistant tuberculosis and chronic malnutrition further complicate treatment and recovery.
Weak healthcare infrastructure, poverty, and widespread stigma frequently delay diagnosis and disrupt treatment adherence. Helen Hallstrom, Senior Partnership Officer at ADPP Mozambique, noted that late presentation and fragmented care systems undermine regional progress. Many patients only seek medical attention after severe symptoms develop, while others mistake early warning signs such as persistent cough, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss for minor ailments.
Public health initiatives are increasingly relying on community-led education and digital health tools to close these gaps. Trained local communicators are expanding awareness campaigns, while platforms like the OneImpact monitoring app help patients track treatment, report discrimination, and maintain contact with healthcare providers. These interventions align with broader regional strategies that integrate HIV and tuberculosis care. According to WHO data, improved treatment coordination contributed to a 42 percent reduction in TB-related deaths across Africa between 2015 and 2023.
Health authorities emphasize that sustaining this decline requires expanded community outreach, earlier screening, and consistent access to medication. Strengthening localized health networks and digital reporting systems remains central to long-term tuberculosis control in the region.
