The Kenya Medical Association has called for increased local funding, innovation, and stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors to accelerate efforts to eliminate tuberculosis in the country by 2030.
In a statement released on Tuesday to mark World Tuberculosis Day 2026, the association warned that Kenya’s response to TB remains heavily dependent on donor funding, urging both national and county governments to step up investment in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment programmes.
The association said World TB Day is observed each year to highlight the global burden of tuberculosis and renew commitments to ending the disease, noting that the day is meant to “raise awareness about tuberculosis and renew commitments to ending the disease.”
It explained that March 24 marks the 1882 discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Dr. Robert Koch, a breakthrough that paved the way for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
According to the association, the day provides “a critical platform to review progress, celebrate achievements, and mobilize multi-sectoral action toward the global targets of ending TB by 2030.”
The Kenya Medical Association, founded in 1968 as the umbrella body for doctors in the country, said it continues to play a central role in the fight against tuberculosis through technical leadership, policy advocacy based on evidence, and continuous training for healthcare workers.
The association also pushes for sustainable funding and equal access to TB services across all counties.
It highlighted its involvement in the signing and rollout of the Kochi Declaration of 2024, describing it as “a landmark international commitment emerging from the International Leadership Summit of Medical Associations.”
The declaration places strong emphasis on involving the private sector in the fight against tuberculosis.
It notes that “in high-burden countries, 60% to 80% of patients initially seek care from private providers,” underlining the importance of partnerships between public and private healthcare providers.
By signing the declaration, the Kenya Medical Association committed to strengthening these partnerships, improving detection of TB cases, enhancing quality of treatment, and promoting global health equity in line with World Health Organization strategies and targets set during the United Nations High-Level Meeting on tuberculosis.
However, the association raised concern over the state of TB financing in Kenya, warning that current funding levels are far below what is needed.
According to the statement, “only 3.8% of funding comes from domestic sources and approximately 96% is reliant on international donors.”
It warned that shrinking global health funding makes it more urgent for Kenya to increase local investment, adding that “sustainable progress cannot be achieved without local ownership and investment.”
The association said it has consistently urged both national and county governments to prioritise domestic funding for TB programmes, stressing that local support is key to sustaining prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services in the long term.
This year’s World TB Day theme is “Yes! We can End TB! Led by Countries! Powered by Innovation!”
The theme calls for strong country leadership, innovation, accountability, and community involvement in tackling tuberculosis.
The association said the message is a call to counties, professional bodies, and all stakeholders to take responsibility for the TB response and adopt new approaches to speed up progress toward eliminating the disease.
It added that it is supporting the use of new health technologies, including shorter all-oral treatment for drug-resistant TB, child-friendly TB medicines, and improved diagnostic tools such as digital chest X-rays supported by artificial intelligence.
The Kenya Medical Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Ministry of Health, county governments, healthcare workers, and both local and international partners to fight tuberculosis through evidence-based advocacy, professional training, and quality healthcare initiatives.
It said it will continue to work with stakeholders and build on the commitments made under the Kochi Declaration until the country is free from the burden of tuberculosis.
The association concluded by expressing confidence that with increased investment, innovation, and collaboration, Kenya can make steady progress toward ending TB, stating “Yes! We can end TB in Kenya!”
World Tuberculosis Day remains an important reminder of the need for sustained effort, funding, and innovation to eliminate one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, especially in high-burden countries like Kenya.