(Bandar Seri Begawan, 24th) March 24th is World Tuberculosis Day, celebrated worldwide.
This is a global initiative aimed at raising public awareness and commitment to TB prevention and control. This year’s theme is “Yes! We Can End TB! Led by Countries, Empowered by People,” calling on all sectors to take bolder, more united actions in these challenging global times to strive for an end to the TB epidemic.
The Minister of Health, Dato Dr. Isham, issued a statement in conjunction with World Tuberculosis Day.
According to predictions from the World Health Organization, by 2024 there will be an estimated 10.7 million TB cases globally, with 1.23 million deaths, including 150,000 people living with HIV. TB remains one of the top ten causes of death worldwide, is a leading cause of death among people with HIV, and is a major cause of deaths associated with antibiotic resistance.
In Brunei, TB continues to be a major burden of infectious disease. Over the past three years, the number of TB cases declined from 260 in 2023 to 235 in 2024, with a slight increase reaching 241 in 2025.
This slight rise reflects the Ministry of Health’s efforts to intensify the detection of active TB cases, particularly following the WHO’s technical assessment in 2024. Control efforts will continue to be strengthened to ensure that the downward trend in case numbers is maintained.
After the technical visit and assistance from WHO experts in October 2024, the Ministry recognized the need to strengthen active case finding, TB surveillance systems, and laboratory capacity.
To this end, the Ministry of Health has stepped up TB control through several key initiatives, including: a) strengthening and improving the TB surveillance system; b) updating Brunei’s TB control guidelines; c) increasing TB awareness among healthcare professionals and the public; d) implementing a TB screening program in the Tutong District in September 2025, with plans to expand screening to new prison entrants starting in 2026; and ensuring that patients adhere strictly to their treatment regimen until cured to prevent TB transmission and the emergence of drug resistance.
In Brunei, the incidence of drug-resistant TB cases (such as multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)), as well as TB-HIV (TB in HIV-positive individuals), remains very low. Between 2023 and 2025, no MDR-TB or XDR-TB cases have been recorded, and only 18 TB-HIV cases were reported.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health will continue to actively pursue early detection and prompt treatment to control this risk.
TB is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Symptoms of TB include a persistent cough for over two weeks, coughing up blood, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their nearest clinic promptly for treatment to avoid serious complications, including death. TB patients should also adhere strictly to their prescribed treatment to ensure a full cure and prevent drug resistance.
To eliminate TB by 2030, support, collaboration, and joint action from all parties are required. This includes the role played by family members, colleagues, employers, chiefs and village heads, NGOs, and all sectors of society in supporting patients through to full recovery.
The Ministry of Health will continue to ensure that TB control and treatment services are more accessible and user-friendly, while also strengthening cooperation between all parties. Anyone showing TB symptoms or who has been in close contact with TB patients is urged to contact the nearest clinic immediately.
Upholding the spirit of 'national leadership, people empowerment,' we are determined and will certainly end TB in Brunei. Yes! We can end TB!
This is a global initiative aimed at raising public awareness and commitment to TB prevention and control. This year’s theme is “Yes! We Can End TB! Led by Countries, Empowered by People,” calling on all sectors to take bolder, more united actions in these challenging global times to strive for an end to the TB epidemic.
The Minister of Health, Dato Dr. Isham, issued a statement in conjunction with World Tuberculosis Day.
In Brunei, TB continues to be a major burden of infectious disease. Over the past three years, the number of TB cases declined from 260 in 2023 to 235 in 2024, with a slight increase reaching 241 in 2025.
This slight rise reflects the Ministry of Health’s efforts to intensify the detection of active TB cases, particularly following the WHO’s technical assessment in 2024. Control efforts will continue to be strengthened to ensure that the downward trend in case numbers is maintained.
After the technical visit and assistance from WHO experts in October 2024, the Ministry recognized the need to strengthen active case finding, TB surveillance systems, and laboratory capacity.
To this end, the Ministry of Health has stepped up TB control through several key initiatives, including: a) strengthening and improving the TB surveillance system; b) updating Brunei’s TB control guidelines; c) increasing TB awareness among healthcare professionals and the public; d) implementing a TB screening program in the Tutong District in September 2025, with plans to expand screening to new prison entrants starting in 2026; and ensuring that patients adhere strictly to their treatment regimen until cured to prevent TB transmission and the emergence of drug resistance.
In Brunei, the incidence of drug-resistant TB cases (such as multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB)), as well as TB-HIV (TB in HIV-positive individuals), remains very low. Between 2023 and 2025, no MDR-TB or XDR-TB cases have been recorded, and only 18 TB-HIV cases were reported.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Health will continue to actively pursue early detection and prompt treatment to control this risk.
TB is an airborne infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Symptoms of TB include a persistent cough for over two weeks, coughing up blood, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their nearest clinic promptly for treatment to avoid serious complications, including death. TB patients should also adhere strictly to their prescribed treatment to ensure a full cure and prevent drug resistance.
To eliminate TB by 2030, support, collaboration, and joint action from all parties are required. This includes the role played by family members, colleagues, employers, chiefs and village heads, NGOs, and all sectors of society in supporting patients through to full recovery.
The Ministry of Health will continue to ensure that TB control and treatment services are more accessible and user-friendly, while also strengthening cooperation between all parties. Anyone showing TB symptoms or who has been in close contact with TB patients is urged to contact the nearest clinic immediately.
Upholding the spirit of 'national leadership, people empowerment,' we are determined and will certainly end TB in Brunei. Yes! We can end TB!