TB Research

TB and primary health care: a synergistic pathway to universal health coverage.

D Pedrazzoli, F Khalid, F Mavhunga, T Kasaeva, S B Syed, T Islam

IJTLD open · 2026-01

Abstract

TB remains a major global health challenge, disproportionately affecting marginalized populations and exposing inequities. The WHO End TB Strategy aligns with the primary health care (PHC) approach to advance universal health coverage (UHC) and sustainable outcomes. Drawing on WHO's recent policy brief 'Tuberculosis and primary health care: synergies and opportunities towards universal health coverage', this article highlights the importance of reorienting health systems towards PHC to strengthen TB responses through integrated services, multisectoral collaboration and empowered communities. It explores synergies between PHC and the End TB Strategy, presenting strategies, barriers, and recommendations to promote equity, efficiency, and resilience, to accelerate progress toward ending TB.