Phnom Penh, March 25, 2024 – In recognition of World TB Day on March 24, Prime Minister Hun Manet has praised Cambodia's significant progress in combating tuberculosis (TB) but emphasizes the need for increased efforts to eradicate the disease. In an open letter themed 'Yes! We can end TB,' Hun Manet commended Cambodia’s transformation from having one of the highest TB prevalences globally to being hailed as a model in the fight against TB.

Highlighting the strides made, Hun Manet noted a 45 percent reduction in new TB cases, from 579 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 320 in 2022. Similarly, the TB mortality rate has halved, decreasing from 42 to 23 cases per 100,000 people over the same period.

Despite these achievements, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of not becoming complacent. He urged the country to address the ongoing challenges in the TB battle, underlining health and quality of life as top priorities for the government.

Hun Manet called on the Ministry of Health and relevant stakeholders to mobilize resources and expedite TB detection and treatment services, aiming for a treatment success rate above 90 percent. He concluded his message with gratitude towards the Ministry of Health, its officials, and all involved in the TB response for their dedication and hard work.