Kigali, March 24, 2026 -- The Rwanda Biomedical Centre, in collaboration with partners, joined residents of Gasabo District to commemorate World Tuberculosis Day 2026 under the theme: “Accelerate Detection, Strengthen Communities: Rwanda United to End TB.”
The event highlighted the call for strengthened collaboration among individuals and institutions engaged in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), emphasizing the need to mobilize adequate resources while enhancing public awareness on prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment.
Rwanda has made significant progress in TB control, supported by strong political will, expanded diagnostic capacity, and a resilient community health system. Community health workers, peer educators, and healthcare professionals play a critical role in early case detection, treatment adherence, and prevention of transmission, ensuring services reach populations in need.
Key achievements include:
- TB incidence declined from 238 cases per 100,000 population in 2000 to 62 per 100,000 in 2024, the lowest in the East African region.
- TB mortality decreased from 77 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 3.4 per 100,000 in 2024, according to the Global TB Report 2025.
- In FY 2024–2025, a total of 8,196 TB cases were notified, including 48 rifampicin-resistant/multidrug-resistant (RR/MDR) cases.
- Community health workers contributed to 27.2% of all detected TB cases.
- The treatment success rate for drug-susceptible TB reached 90%.
- Between November 2019 and December 2024, 98.3% of people living with HIV received TB preventive treatment.
- TB preventive treatment coverage among eligible household contacts aged five years and above reached 91.9% in FY 2024–2025.
Despite this progress, challenges remain, particularly in public knowledge of TB. According to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2020, only 68% of respondents demonstrated adequate understanding of TB transmission, highlighting the need for intensified awareness efforts to reduce missed cases and improve early detection.
During the commemoration, participants observed community-based active case finding in high-risk settings such as bus stations, markets, and carpentry hubs in Gakiriro, Gisozi, and Kimironko market. These initiatives aim to reach populations that may have limited access to formal health services.
Dr. Albert Tuyishime, Head of the Disease Control and Prevention Department at RBC, called for collective actions to accelerate progress toward the 2035 TB elimination target. He emphasized the importance of preventive measures, early screening, and strict adherence to treatment, noting that TB medication is provided free of charge.
To further reduce TB infections and mortality, Rwanda has implemented several key interventions, including:
- Strengthening the role of community health workers in awareness and early detection;
- Expanding access to rapid diagnostic technologies such as GeneXpert machines;
- Implementing targeted active case-finding strategies among high-risk populations;
- Providing free TB diagnosis and treatment services;
- Leveraging digital technologies to improve patient monitoring and evaluation;
- Equipping community health workers with smartphone-based tools for disease screening, including TB.